Nano-hybrid materials based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and carbon nanotubes: Syntheses and electroanalytical applications

• Grant number: 25/01087-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Devaney Ribeiro Do Carmo
• Grantee: Pablo Colofatti Soto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present project describes the preparation and functionalization of nano-hybrids formed by carbon nanotubes with octa(aminopropyl)silsesquioxane and a dendritic silsesquioxane following a new synthesis route. Firstly, we aim to prepare and characterize the aforementioned nanostructured materials using different techniques such as: Raman Spectroscopy, Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA), UV-Vis, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), porosity, and surface area measurements. Subsequently, we intend to conduct a systematic study on the voltammetric behavior of bimetallic complexes supported on the surface of the nano-hybrids, mainly employing cyclic voltammetry. Depending on the nature of the nano-hybrids (solid or liquid), different types of electrodes such as solid electrodes, printed electrodes, and/or graphite paste electrodes will be used as working electrodes. After optimizing the electrochemical system, we aim to test these materials as sensors for the detection and quantification of species of biological, pharmacological, and environmental interest, mainly using voltammetric techniques.