Interaction of Conjugated Nanopolymer with Membrane Models Using Langmuir Films

• Grant number: 24/08372-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Laura Oliveira Péres Philadelphi
• Grantee: Melissa Lima Barros
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50869-6 - INCT 2014: on Organic Electronics, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/19912-4 - Influence of mucins on the membrane interaction of conjugated nanopolymer, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

In this project, we aim to study the molecular-level interaction of a conjugated polymer at the nanometric scale, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), with membrane models. This material is widely used in its macroscopic form in biosensors and bioelectronics. Additionally, the ability of P3HT to interfere with the viability of reference microorganisms will be analyzed. For this purpose, the Langmuir film technique will be employed, which involves the formation of monolayers with surfactant materials, allowing the acquisition of tensiometric data, surface potential, infrared spectroscopy, rheology, and microscopy. The behavior of pure nanopolymer Langmuir films will also be evaluated through À-A and ”V-A isotherms, infrared (PM-IRRAS), and microscopy (BAM). Furthermore, we intend to evaluate the interaction of P3HT, in its nanometric form, with Langmuir monolayers formed by the phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a model for erythrocyte membranes, and dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), a model for microbial cell membranes. Thus, by the end of the project, we hope to obtain important information regarding the cell viability of the nanopolymer in different types of microorganisms.