Development of specific structures (e.g. functionalized magnetic and metallic nanoparticles and/or aluminosilicates) for their application as active materials in the development of specific (bio)sensors and/or functional surfaces. In this way, specific environmental sensors such as arsenic and cesium sensors will be developed based on zeolite-type and similar structures, among others, as well as specific fillers for environmentally active response (removal of antibiotics based on photocatalitic TiO2 nanoparticles engineered for this specific purpose). The fillers will be used as active parts of sensors and/or incorporated into polymer membranes in order to tune performance for specific applications.
Nanoparticles Synthesis
Aluminosilicates Particles Functionalization
Main References
Nanoparticles Synthesis
(a) (b) (c)
Besides magnetoelectric materials, the interplay of magnetic nanoparticles and polymer properties allows applications such as drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), genetic therapy, sensors, magnetic storage media, photocatalyst and tunneling magneto resistance (TMR) . Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IOMNPs) (Figure a) are one of the first and most studied nanomaterials, especially due to their magnetic properties, low cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Magnetic rods (Figure b) rods can find an immediate application as model anisotropic particles for the needs of the fundamental and applied research. In addition to their possible use as sensors, actuators, liquid crystals, they may also serve as basic units for designing new paints and materials.
Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (Figure c) of high-specificity targeted delivery of anti-neoplastic drugs would be a significant advance in the biomedical field.
Cross section micrographs of porous PVDF-TrFE membranes filled with TiO2 nanoparticles.
TEM micrographs of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles.
Gold nanoparticles with Staphylococcus aureus for internalization studies.
Aluminosilicates
Different zeolite-type microposorus materials used on the production of sensors.
Particles Functionalization
Silica magnetic particles for heavy metals removal from water.
Main References
- C. Caparrós, M. Benelmekki, P. M. Martins, E. Xuriguera, C. J. R. Silva, L. M. Martinez and S. Lanceros-Méndez, "Hydrothermal assisted synthesis of iron oxide-based magnetic silica spheres and their performance in magnetophoretic water purification.", Materials Chemistry and Physics.
- C. Sousa, D. Sequeira, P. M. Martins, Y. Kolen'ko, S. Lanceros-Méndez, Dmitri Y. Petrovykhc., "Quantitative Characterization of Bacterial Cell Loading with Nanoparticles", AVS 60th International Symposium & Exhibition, Oct 27–Nov 1, 2013.
- Tavares, C.J., et al., N-doped photocatalytic titania thin films on active polymer substrates. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010. 10(2): p. 1072-1077.
- Marques, S.M., et al., X-ray scattering experiments on sputtered titanium dioxide coatings onto PVDF polymers for self-cleaning applications. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2011. 119(2): p. 726-731.