Influence of functionalization in lignin-derived nanomaterials for fluorometric ions sensing

• Grant number: 25/14345-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2026
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Altair Benedito Moreira
• Grantee: Vinicius Sarracini Santos
• Supervisor: Coulomb Bruno
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/15333-7 - Synthesis and characterization of biomass-derived quantum dots for metalic ion and nanoplastic sensor applications, BP.DR

Abstract

The use of diverse biomasses for production of nanomaterials with different applications has been reported in literature. One of these applications is the detection of ions, presenting a good perspective, however, the lack of analytical validation of these nanomaterials is a large gap in this area. In biomass context, Brazil is a huge producer of cellulose, generating kraft lignin as an abundant by-product, that can be a precursor to nanomaterials, such quantum dots and nanolignin and be explored in context of sensors. Different types of additives can be utilized for producing and functionalizing these materials, however, the correlation between functionalization and ions selectivity is still scarce. In this project, lignin-derived nanomaterials will be produced with different additives for functionalization with Borum, Bromine, Iodine, Fluorine and Nitrogen and characterized with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron microscopy. With the synthesized nanomaterials, the fluorescence ion sensing properties will be evaluated. Selectivity tests will be performed with different cations (Ag+, Al3+, Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cr6+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+) and the analytical validation will be performed, such as matrix effect and trueness. It is expected to establish a correlation between nanomaterial functionalization and sensor selectivity, improving the material's design.