Thesis proposals

1) Development of amperometric sensors for the analysis of quality parameters in foodstuffs

The aim of this Thesis proposal is the development of an analytical sensor capable to recognize specific features of a food sample, In order to differentiate different samples in relation of cultivars or geographical origins.

Electrochemical methods are exploited to collect experimental information: electrodes modified by conductive polymers or by nanosized materials are employed to such a purpose, as well as novel electrode materials (e.g. sono-gel carbon electrodes).

Electrochemical responses are firstly obtained in standard solutions of the analyte to define the electrode systems working at best and, then, in real matrices. The results obtained are subjected to data analysis, performed in collaboration with Chemometrics, Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab at Unimore.

2) Development of graphene-based wearable sensors

This research activity aims at developing wearable sensors to detect analytes of physiological and technological interest for human health. The device developed in this study is not invasive, since it does not require drops of blood, and allows a continuous monitoring of the analytes over hours.

The development of the sensor starts with the definition of the chemical composition of the electrode coating, which leads to record the most sensitive, repeatable, and reproducible response. To this aim, we are exploiting the peculiar properties of graphene oxide, since it can stably bind biomolecules, i.e. enzymes, acting as the biorecognition element, and suitable redox mediators to detect the product of the enzymatic reaction.

These sensors can be obtained on solid or on flexible supports, also prepared by inks. The analytical performance of the sensor is tested through systematic electrochemical measurements on standard solutions of the analyte, then on solutions of the analyte in a complex matrix, simulating a human fluid.

This work is carried out in collaboration with ISOF-CNR and Graphene-XT.

3) Development of electrochemical sensors/detectors for the detection of drugs of abuse

This Thesis proposal is divided in two distinct works:

  • development of electrochemical sensors for the selective detection of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), i.e. the main cannabinoids present in Cannabis Sativa plants.
  • development of an electrochemical detector for HPLC analysis of cannabinoids.

Different electrode materials (e.g. graphite and glassy carbon) and different nanosized materials (e.g. reduced graphene oxide and carbon black) are tested in this frame. The material showing best performance will be chosen for systematic measurements, and the electrochemical responses will be subjected to data analysis. Furthermore, for the development of an electrochemical HPLC detector, elution/injection conditions will be simulated, with the possibility to work on real HPLC systems.

This work is carried out in collaboration with:

– Laboratories of forensic analyses at the University of Bologna and at Unimore

– University of Roma Tor Vergata – Chemometrics, Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab at Unimore