Microstructural characterization of paint composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles

• Grant number: 24/17589-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 14, 2025
• End date: January 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Biophysics of Processes and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Angela Mitie Otta Kinoshita
• Grantee: João Gabriel Katsumi Utimura Zorzatto
• Supervisor: Fernando Rubio-Marcos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Dr Domingos Leonardo Ceravolo. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/00424-0 - Paint composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles: antimicrobial and photocatalytic activity, BP.IC

Abstract

This RIA project, lasting 2 months, is linked to project "Paint composed of zinc oxide nanoparticles: antimicrobial and photocatalytic activity". In the daily life of hospitals, food industries, and highly hygienic environments, the fight against microorganisms is constant, aiming to prevent medical complications or contaminations. Among the most prevalent and fought microorganisms in these places are those on the ESKAPE list. (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus ssp). Therefore, this project proposes the development of an antimicrobial paint capable of consistently, uniformly, and effectively combating this issue using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) in its composition. The goal is for your future use as a coating for areas that have high contact with harmful microorganisms and pathogens. ZnO- NPs are known for their photocatalytic ability, which induces antimicrobial activity. In this way, advanced oxidative processes should occur in this new material when irradiated. These oxidative processes, triggered by zinc oxide nanoparticles, can promote antimicrobial action in the coating. Thus, the stages of the integral project consist of synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP); verifying the antimicrobial action and the effects of ZnO-NP on oxidative parameters under irradiation, for the activation of heterogeneous photocatalysis; incorporating ZnO-NP into the paint and checking the antimicrobial effect. Thus, it is expected to obtain a paint with antimicrobial activity through photocatalysis triggered by irradiation. The application of this coating presents some advantages when compared to the traditional method of asepsis, as it involves an antimicrobial action mediated by an energy source already present in the locations designated for application. In the RIA stage, the aim is to deepen the studies of the nanoparticle and developed paint by conducting microstructural characterizations, which include determination of specific surface area through BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller), topographic characterization of developed paint through AFM (atomic force microscopy), and chemical interactions between nanoparticles and polymer matrix through FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and Confocal Raman Microscopy. These analysis significantly will enhance the understanding and relationships between the material and its photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity.