Academic Centre
Project title:
"Investigation of photoinduced processes in one-dimensional ZnO/polidopamine nanostructures."
Project contract number:
1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/279
Project implementation deadline:
36 months (01.01.2019 - 31.12.2021)
Total project funding:
133 805.88 EUR
UL funding: 20 070.89 EUR
Research manager:
Viktoriia Fedorenko (Optisko biosensoru un funkcionālo nanomateriālu laboratorija)
Aim of the project:
To develop one-dimensional (1D) composite ZNO/polidopamine (PDA) nanomaterials with high surface-to-volume aspect ratio, to improve the structure of electronic, optical and sensitive properties.
Project results:
4 publications in research journals with high impact factor, such as Sensors and Actuators B, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, ACS Nano, Small, Journal of Physical Chemistry, etc., 3 conference theses or abstract, 6 LU Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy (IAPS) seminars, 2 researcher's nights / laboratory demonstrations, 2 open lectures, 2 seminars for government agencies
1st quarter (01.01.2019 - 31.03.2019)
The first month of the project has started with a literature search on a project-related topic. Tasks from the first part of the work were performed: synthesis, structure and optical characteristics of one-dimensional zinc oxide polydopamine (1D ZnO/PDA) nanostructures.
The following tasks were performed:
- Manufacture of ZnO nanolayers using chemical bath coating;
- Production of a PDA layer by 1D ZnO molds using chemical bath precipitation with various parameters such as dopamine concentration and precipitation time;
- Investigation of the structural properties of 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures using XRD, TEM and SEM;
- Investigation of electronic properties of deposited 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures using FTIR and Raman methods;
- Room temperature characterization of 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures using photoluminescence and diffuse reflection spectroscopy.
2nd quarter (01.04.2019 - 30.06.2019)
- A presentation of the first quarter report of the Postdoc project has been prepared, and on May 2 it was presented at the IAPS UL seminar.
- Participated in the University of Latvia New Technology and Innovation Day, 17th of May (laboratory demonstrations)
- Preparation of a summary of the E-MRS Fall Meeting and exhibition to be held at the Warsaw University of Technology from 16 to 19 September.
- Production of 1D molds by electrolysis and production of ZnO nanolayers using atomic layer deposition (mobility to the University of Montpellier, European Institute of Membranes, France).
3rd quarter (01.07.2019 - 30.09.2019)
- I participated in the international conference "Nanomaterials for biosensors and biomedical applications" (July 2 - 4, 2019, Jurmala, Latvia), and the results of the research were presented in a poster session "Investigation of photoinduced processes in one dimentional ZnO/polydopamine nanostructures". Viktoriia Fedorenko, Daina Damberga, Igor Iatsunskyi, Emerson Coy, Radosław Mrówczyński, Roman Viter). I promoted cooperation with companies working in the field of nanomaterials.
- Participation in the autumn meeting of the 2019 E-MRS (European Materials Research Society) with an oral presentation “Investigation of photoinduced processes in one-dimensional ZnO/polydopamine nanostructures” symposium M: “Metal oxide- and oxyhydride-based nanomaterials for energy and environment-related applications ”. 9/15/2019 - 19.09.2019 - Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, Warsaw.
- Participation European Scientists' Night - September 27 - LU Academic Center Science House, Jelgavas Street 3, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy. The laboratory was open to several demonstrations and experiments. The following experiments were shown: - Production and optical characteristics of nanofibers obtained in electrospinning product; - Application of electrospinning method for various purposes; - Photoluminescence system for liquid measurements; - Testing of liquid sensors by combining photoluminescence with microfluidics.
- A microfluidic and optical system for photoluminescence measurements has been developed. Optimal fluid supply parameters and exciting light intensity were selected.
4th quarter (01.10.2019 - 31.12.2019)
- PDA layers of different thicknesses were deposited on 1D ZnO nanostructures with different structures.
- Cyclic voltammetry of 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures with and without UV light was measured.
- Chronoamperometry and photoluminescence of the prepared nanostructures were studied.
- An initial immobilization test for Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin B1 specific monoclonal antibodies and glucose oxidase on the surfaces of 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures was provided.
- The correlation between the structure and optical properties of 1D ZnO/PDA nanostructures was evaluated.
- Defect concentrations of ZnO before and after PDA precipitation were calculated and analyzed.
- The first data on ZnO/PDA interface process modeling were presented at the ASI seminar (19.12.2019).
5th quarter (01.01.2020 - 31.03.2020)
- Meeting with Artūras Belickas, Representative of UAB MONO Spektra in the Baltics, on a prototype of sensor application optical devices (Date: 06.02.2020 at 13:30 in IAPS UL room 628, Jelgavas Street 3, Riga).
- Participation in the 78th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia, where the main results were presented.
- "Scientific afternoon" (February 14 at 13:00, UL Science House, 6th floor, room 650) was dedicated to the topic "Optical biosensors - what it is and why we study them". I, IAPS UL researcher (Dr.) Viktoriia Fedorenko and Faculty of Chemistry UL prof. Artūrs Vīksna, as well as the leading visiting researchers of the Latvian state scholarship recipients (Dr.) Viktoriia Holubnycha and (Dr.) Viktoriia Korniienko from SUMI State University, who came to the University of Latvia to exchange experience. The aim of the event was to organize free discussions in an informal atmosphere on scientific issues of public importance on topics discussed by IAPS UL scientists. This was an opportunity for all stakeholders - teacher, student, student, government official, entrepreneur, senior citizen and others - to meet with the relevant scientific community, ask questions of interest to them, and develop new ideas for future projects.
- Article prepared and published in the journal Physical Chemistry Part C: Energy Conversion and Storage; Catalysis; Optical, electronic and magnetic properties and processes; Interfaces; Nanomaterials and hybrid materials, C: plasmonics; Optical, magnetic and hybrid materials. Title: "Photoluminescence Study of Defects in ZnO Coated Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers". Authors: Damberga, Daina; Viter, Roman; Fedorenko, Victoria; Iatsunskyi, Igor; Coy, Emerson; Graniel, Octavio; Balme, Sebastien; Miele, Philippe; Bechelany, Mikhael. Manuscript ID: jp-2020-00326r.R2. Manuscript Status: Accepted.
6th quarter (01.04.2020 - 30.06.2020)
- Participation in the online seminar on May 6 "Biotechnology and Medicine" took place within the cycle "Scientific Afternoon", organized by the Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy of the University of Latvia (on the Zoom platform). Invited speaker Maksims Pogorielovs (Ukraine, Sumy State University) and I (Latvia, University of Latvia) spoke about polidopamine (PDA) as a versatile coating and its application in biomedicine. Following the speakers' presentations, there was a joint discussion on the subject.
- Participation in the seminar on May 29 (Microsoft team platform) organized by our colleagues from Fraunhofer ICT Department of Bio and Nanotechnology. During this event, we presented the work of our laboratory team.
- A manuscript "Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnO/polidopamine-based hybrid 1D nuclear structured nanocomposites" was prepared and uploaded to the RSC Advance submission system.
- I had mobility to our partner institution (Vilnius University (VU), Vilnius, Lithuania). Some measurements have been made during this mobility. The electrochemical characterization of ZnO/PDA on FTO glass by resistance spectroscopy was studied. Measurements were performed with different potentials (0, - 0.45, - 0.3, 0.3, 0.45 and 0.8 V) with and without light. Photoelectrochemical effects were studied. Raman spectroscopy measurements of modified ZnO/PDA nanostructures were also performed. The obtained data will be analyzed and published below.