Functionalized and modified Biopolymeric matrices with nanomaterials in the construction of external stimuli-sensitive films for agricultural applications

• Grant number: 24/23580-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Souza Corrêa
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Correia de Lima
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Abiotic and biotic stresses in plants reduce productivity and increase food insecurity. Therefore, technologies provided by functional materials that mitigate these stresses have emerged as innovative tools in the agricultural sector. For example, some materials have external stimuli reactions and release compounds that improve plant nutrition and resist stress. Moreover, mixing them with biomaterial matrices from agricultural wastes enhances bioproperties (antibacterial and biodegradability) and meets the concepts of circular economy. In this context, we propose to develop, optimize, and characterize double-responsive nanostructured mulching films through the solution blow spinning (SBS) technique. The films will be produced by using cellulose derivatives, polydimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) - a polymer that provides responsiveness to pH and temperature - and various functional nanomaterials. The nanostructures will be used as sources of nutrients and protection systems for plants when stressed. In vitro evaluations will be performed with abiotic stresses (pH, temperature, and humidity) and biotic stresses such as fungi, also the quantity of materials in the composition of the films will be assessed. Thus, it will be necessary to manufacture and characterize nanocellulose and modify it through the grafting technique with PDMAEMA polymer. Nanoparticles of calcium-potassium, lignin, and carbon dots will be manufactured, designed, and evaluated. Films will be made by cellulose acetate, PDMAEMA-functionalized nanocellulose and nanomaterials by SBS and intelligent characteristics (responsiveness) will be investigated. In addition, mechanical (resistance) and biodegradability tests will be tested, and antifungal properties of nanostructures, biochemical analyses, and genetic transcription variations in plant seedlings will also be evaluated. Finally, our expectation is a huge contribution from this research in a better understanding of these new technologies uses and improvement in plants' nutrition and protection when subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses.