Materials Chemistry
The Materials Chemistry is a branch of chemistry dedicated to the synthesis, characterization, correlation of structure properties and application of different materials. The focus of this field of knowledge is on the full use of chemistry to create, understand and develop compounds or systems that can lead to the development of new technological opportunities or significant improvements in existing technologies. It's an area of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary science that transcends the boundaries of chemistry with physics, biology and engineering, as well as aggregating the four classic divisions of chemistry. The creation of the Materials Chemistry area (which includes branches such as nanoscience and nanotechnology and other branches of Chemistry, Physics and Biology) aims to minimize the fragmentation and compartmentalization of knowledge in areas, subareas and disciplines, which work in a waterproof manner and isolated, restricting a global view and making the interfaces between areas of knowledge little explored, thus constituting an advance in order to collapse the barriers in the development of training and scientific and technological knowledge. In this sense, the research in Materials Chemistry of the Chemistry Postgraduate Program aims to use the full capacity of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Engineering to generate, develop and understand new materials and/or systems that enable technological advancement using knowledge in nanotechnology, theoretical calculations, inorganic and organic synthesis and natural products. The knowledge generated by this line will provide a greater integration between the university and industries located in the Southwest region of Goiás and the Midwest of Brazil, and consequently allow an improvement in the quality of life of the population.
Related line professors:
Douglas Silva Machado
Research Project: Clay Incorporated Metal Oxide Filtration Systems for Removal of Organic Contaminants.
In the present work a filtration system coupled to a light source will be developed, aiming at the removal and degradation of organic contaminants present in aqueous solutions. For this purpose the study of adsorption of organic compounds in clay particles will be carried out, aiming to understand the mechanism of adsorption as viability of clays as adsorbing systems of pesticides and dyes. In the first stage of the project the characterization of clays of possible interest to the project should be performed by techniques such as x-ray fluorescence, XRD and FTIR. The interaction of organic molecules with clays will be studied, and the concentration monitored by techniques such as UV-Vis. For this purpose, emphasis will be placed on the use of dyes. In a second moment will be carried out the study of pesticide adsorption in clays. Modifications of the clays with incorporation of metal oxide photocatalysts will be made in order to optimize the photodegradation effect of the set. It's expected to enable the use of systems involving clays for immobilization and degradation of pesticides and excess dyes available in the environment by a coupled filtration and degradation system.
Research Project: Modified Chitosans for Application as Bone Tissue.
In the present work a series of cross-linked chitosan copolymers in the presence of monomers of different alkylacrylamides will be prepared by irradiation in the presence of a photoinitiator (Irgacure). In order to improve the properties of these copolymers, fillers such as RD laponite clay particles and silica particles will be added. The obtained materials will be characterized by their structure by FTIR and RMN-H. The thermal stability will be evaluated by thermoanalytical analyzes, and will also be performed material resistance test, swelling and degradation. It is also intended to characterize the material in relation to its density, porosity and surface area.
Fernando Henrique Cristovan
Research Project: Development of Conjugated Polymers for Optoelectronic and Biological Applications
Conductive polymers, since their development in the late 1970s, have sparked a revolution in the construction of electronic devices. Today, these materials have been widely studied to replace traditional materials in the construction of such devices. It has recently been discovered that these polymers can be biocompatible and promote cell proliferation and adhesion, which opens a new range of possibilities for application of these materials. However, much remains to be done in fundamental research on the synthesis of conducting polymers based on thiophenes, fluorenes and selenophenes for their application in the medical field. Thiophene-derived polymers when blended with thermoplastic polymers can cause these materials to increase their biocompatibility of the material. Fluorene derivatives can be used as a bioimaging probe. A viable alternative to improve the properties of these materials is the synthesis of selenophene copolymers. The insertion of selenophene monomers may help to increase the conjugation of the polymer chains and, consequently, the efficiency of the devices prepared with these copolymers. Thus, this project proposes the synthesis of thiophene, fluorene and selenophene based copolymers for medical applications. These polymers will be characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-RMN and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and will be characterized for their electrical and optical properties. The best copolymers will be blended in the form of thin films and electrophilic blankets with thermoplastic polymers and their thermal, optical properties will be analyzed. From these results will be evaluated the biological properties of prepared materials. Chemometric techniques will be used to optimize all stages of this work, from polymer synthesis to film preparation.
Gildiberto Mendonça de Oliveira
Research Project: Electrochemical Study of the Effect of Additives on the Electrodeposition Processes of Metals and Metal Alloys.
The electroplating process involves the formation of a metal layer, metal oxide, organic film etc. onto a substrate by means of an electrochemical process. This electrodeposited layer aims to impart different physical and chemical properties to the substrate surface, such as: mechanical resistance; chemical resistance to corrosion; good thermal and electrical conductivity; decorative etc. The characteristics of electrochemical deposition (electrodeposition) are the control of: deposit thickness; chemical composition of the deposit; characteristics of the deposited phases etc. Electroplating is also employed in metal extraction processes. One of the parameters that influences the morphological, chemical and structural characteristics of electrodeposits is the composition of the solution. Thus, in addition to the ion (s) of interest, whose metal(s) you want to electrodeposit, a solution may contain different substances, called additives. Such additives can act as: complexing agent, rinse aid, leveler, grain size reducer, incorporate into the deposit etc. In this sense, this line of research aims to investigate the use of new additives for electrodeposition solutions of metals and alloys, studying their effects through electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, and to characterize morphology, chemical composition. and structure of the electrodeposits using Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Dispersion Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy, respectively.
Giovanni Cavichioli Petrucelli (Colaborador)
Research Project: Characterization and application of lamellar materials controlled release.
Study of lamellar compounds, involving structural, physical and chemical aspects such as capacity and equilibrium constants of adsorption and desorption phenomena on this surface. Modification of structures and nanostructures, for studies of adsorption, desorption and use as catalytic supports and controlled release of compounds. Toxicity determination of solid compounds using Zebrafish embryos as a model.
Tatiana Batista
Research Project: Study of Adsorption Isotherms of Organic Compounds in Clay Particles.
The present work will study the adsorption of a series of organic compounds in clay particles, aiming to understand the adsorption mechanism as viability of clays as pesticide adsorbing systems. In the first stage of the project the interaction of organic molecules with clays will be studied, and the concentration monitored by techniques such as UV-Vis. For this purpose, emphasis will be placed on the use of dyes. Secondly, the study of pesticide adsorption in clays will be carried out to determine the physicochemical parameters involved in the adsorption process. It's expected to enable the use of systems involving clays to immobilize excess pesticides available in the environment, as well as the use of controlled release formulations.
Tatiane Moraes Arantes
Research Project: Development of Nanostructured Multifunctional Materials for the Construction of Virus Detection Biosensors.
The search for materials that presents new properties is a great challenge for material researchers. Among these, colloidal nanoparticles stand out due to their versatility of processing and molding, and can be synthesized with specific properties that with recent advances in the field of molecular biology are expanding the possibilities of use in biosensors. Biosensors are increasingly attracting the attention of research groups, which in recent years have invested in devices specifically designed to detect infectious diseases such as those caused by Hantavirus. Thus, this project aims at the synthesis and functionalization of metallic nanoparticles with the protein derived from viral nucleocapsid (Araraquara virus recombinant N protein) and the subsequent construction of electrodes to be used as biosensors in the detection of Hantavirus with significant sensitivity, selectivity and specificity. Enabling the construction and portable devices developed on the basis of biological recognition elements such as antigens and antibodies that can become an alternative to tests performed in clinical analysis laboratories and can be used in doctor's offices or by health workers when visiting people's homes. and environmental control of rodent contamination.
Research Project: Biocompatible Poly (N-Vinylcaprolactam) Nanocomposites and Hydroapatite, ZnO and/or TiO2 nanoparticles.
The search for materials that present biocompatibility properties with the human organism is a major challenge for researchers in the field of materials. Among the biomaterials, the polymeric materials stand out due to their processing and molding versatility and can be synthesized with specific properties. A good candidate for use as a biomaterial is poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL), which is biocompatible and temperature sensitive. In addition, a promising alternative in the field of biomaterials is the preparation of nanocomposites that associate the good properties of polymers with the mechanical strength of bioactive ceramics such as titanium oxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Besides allowing greater mechanical resistance, the presence of nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix provides a better interaction between tissue and biomaterial. Thus, in this project PNVCL nanocomposites with titanium oxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles and/or hydroxyapatite nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal processing will be prepared, seeking to obtain biocompatible materials for use as tissue engineering substrates (scaffolds) in medical/dental applications. To this end, the nanoparticles will be incorporated into the polymer matrix by PNVCL in situ polymerization. The best conditions of synthesis of nanocomposites will be studied as well as the synergistic effect of the incorporation of two distinct nanoparticles. Finally, the bioactivity of polymeric nanocomposites will be tested by cell growth and adhesion.
Research Projects: Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites for agroindustrial applications.
In recent years, agribusiness has stood out as one of the main sectors of the national economy. Currently, the country has a world reference agriculture. Among the different fields of research focused on agribusiness, one area that has stood out is the use of biodegradable polymers for applications such as controlled release of pesticides, controlled release of nutrients and moisture control. Among the biodegradable polymers, those that form hydrogels have been gaining prominence. Coupled with this, with the advent of nanotechnology, the use of synthetic nanoparticles for control and microorganisms and pests has aroused interest for agrochemical applications replacing the use of pesticides toxic to humans and the environment. With this in mind, this project proposes the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable nanocomposite hydrogels of poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)/methylcellulose with titanium oxide nanoparticles and / or silver nanoparticles aiming to obtain nanocomposites for use in agrochemical applications to control bacteria and nematodes.