Biodegradable natural deep eutectic solvents and functionalized soy vegetable wax binders as a viable strategy to stabalize electrodeposited prussian blue films in carbon paste electrodes

• Grant number: 24/13210-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: February 15, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Martos Buoro
• Grantee: Thaís Dotti Trida Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/09747-3 - Development and evaluation of sustainable/biodegradable electrochemical devices for the detection of sulfonamides, AP.R

Abstract

The presented project proposes the use of biodegradable binders, based on a vegetable wax and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) composition to produce sustainable electrode substrates with stabilizing properties of Prussian blue films for application in electroanalysis. The proposal converges with the precepts of the UN 2030 global sustainability agenda (Goal 12 - Responsible Production and Consumption) by proposing the complete replacement of the petroleum-derived binder (paraffin or mineral oil) with a sustainable binder. The soy vegetable wax to be used has a renewable origin, is biodegradable and, due to its hydrophobicity, can become a potential substitute for petroleum derivatives typically used as binders in carbon paste electrodes. The solvent to be used to dissolve the wax is a hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES), that is, a eutectic mixture with a deep depression in its melting point when compared to the melting points of its components, with the final purpose of obtaining a binder that is easy to handle at room temperature. A second NADES to be added in the conductive phase presents the tartaric acid component, complexing Fe(III) ions, to promote the stabilization the Prussian blue film, formed in-situ from the oxidation of hexacyanoferrate (II) ions, with potential application in the analysis of sulfonamides. The prepared carbon paste electrodes will be characterized by electrochemical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and imaging techniques. Finally, the analytical potential of the developed substrate will be evaluated against contaminants of emerging concern, namely sulfonamides, found in aquatic bodies, converging with goal 6 - Drinking Water and Sanitation - of the same UN agenda.