Electrochemical microsensors based on boron doped diamond and carbon/polymer composites for analysis in aquatic environments

• Grant number: 25/10440-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 22, 2025
• End date: September 21, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Mauro Bertotti
• Grantee: Valdomiro de Souza Conceição
• Supervisor: Prof Julie V Macpherson
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Warwick, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/04980-9 - Calibration-free electrochemical microsensors for milk analysis, BP.DD

Abstract

Carbon-based microelectrodes, especially boron-doped diamond (BDD), has unique properties, such as low background current and chemical stability, allowing them to achieve low detection limits and complex matrix analyses. Therefore, this project aims to develop new methodologies for producing and applications for co-planar BDD in both band and microarray format. 3D printing techniques will also be explored to produce carbon-based microelectrodes in band and disc format made from carbon particle/polymer composites, given their low cost nature compared to BDD. Prof. Dr. Julie V. Macpherson, an expert in developing BDD electrochemical sensors from the University of Warwick, UK, will supervise the BEPE project. Since BDD-based devices bring robustness and improve analytical parameters, the research project abroad is aligned with the main goal of the PhD thesis. Microband electrodes lend themselves to be used in microfluidic systems, which further improves analytical performance, by increasing detection sensitivity and offering larger detection signals. As part of the learning process abroad, the scholarship applicant will participate in conferences and return to Brazil to disseminate the knowledge acquired. (AU)