Thin films and nanofibers decorated with organic semiconductors: analysis of the reactivity of gases to humans and the environment

• Grant number: 24/22327-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Clarissa de Almeida Olivati
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Rocha Santos Medina
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50869-6 - INCT 2014: on Organic Electronics, AP.TEM

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been increasing concern about the environment and the consequences that industrial activities have had on human health. One example is the high generation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemical substances that pollute the air and can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, numbness in the fingers and can even be carcinogenic agents, even in small amounts of exposure. As a way to minimize the harmful effects of VOCs on humans and the environment, the production of sensor devices with materials that are highly sensitive to VOCs stands out. In this context, this project proposes to use electron-accepting organic semiconductors to manufacture thin films through the Langmuir-Schaefer, drop-casting and electrospun and decorated nanofiber techniques, as an active layer of sensor devices for studying VOC detection. The films and nanofibers will be characterized by UV-visible optical absorption spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and electrical measurements in direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). After these characterizations, the devices based on these films and nanofibers will be subjected to studies as gas sensors using electrical measurements, in order to compare devices manufactured by the different techniques. In addition to studying the possible application of these materials as active layers of gas sensors, the project aims to study the effect of pollutants on photovoltaic devices that use these materials as active layers.