Project name: Highly sensitive detection of water-quality contamination with drugs at trace levels based on liquid crystals/ nanostructured carbon electrodes (DRUWATSENS)
Partners and representatives: “Coriolan Dragulescu” Institute of Chemistry-
Project manager: CS. Sorina Ilies
Total budget: 246 950 lei (buget de stat)
Co-financing amount: – lei
Eligible ICT amount: 246 950 lei
Duration of contract: 24 luni (01.09.2020- 31 08.2022)
-
Funding entity: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)
-
Mentor: Prof. Dr. eng. Florica Manea
Abstract: The scope of the project is to obtain metal oxide (MOx)-based nanoelectrodes array for the enhanced simultaneous/ selective detection of pharmaceuticals in real water for further development of real time sensing systems for water quality monitoring. Effective real-time monitoring is the key to understanding and tackling the issue of water quality assurance and in particular of water contamination with pharmaceuticals bioactive components (i.e.., diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), capecitabine (CPB), docetaxel (DTX), and fluoxetine, (FLX)). The target pharmaceuticals were selected to cover a wide range of drugs classes, which are considered at various stages of regulations within Water Framework Directive (WFD). The project objectives will create scientific and technical premises for the making of an innovative, ultrasensitive sensors based on MOx nanoelectrodes array (MONCA), and specific protocols for individual/simultaneous/selectiv e detection of pharmaceuticals bioactive compounds which will bring advanced knowledge on the sensors functionality. Further, the selection of advanced electrochemical techniques and optimization of operating conditions in order to improve the electroanalytical performance of the MONCA for practical application in real water and commercial products will be performed (surface water, drinking water, commercial pharmaceutical products). The electrode composition and electrochemical techniques types and operating conditions will be reference basis for further development of wireless electronics-integrated portable ultrasensitive sensor for real-time monitoring of water quality and other applications in the field of pharmaceuticals industry, food, and health. The results of this project should to revolutionize the advanced monitoring of water quality and also, to improve the sustainable management of water resources considering all aspects from laws improvement to control of the water treatment process.
Objectives: The scope of the project proposal is to obtain MOx-based nanoelectrodes arrays for the enhanced simultaneous/selective detection of pharmaceuticals in real water for further development of real time sensing systems for water quality monitoring. The application of these systems should be extended to other fields, e.g., medical, food, commercial pharmaceuticals products. The scope is in accordance with the aim of PN-III-DCD-RU-PD-2019-2 to support young researchers, Doctors in Science, who wish to develop a professional career in scientific research activity, in Romanian research institutions.
Results: Series of copper/platinum modified nanostructured carbon based electrodes modified with different compositions, including: carbon nanofibers, graphene, fullerene (about 15 new modified electrodes) will be prepared, morphostructurally and electrochemically characterized. Elaboration of protocols for the individual, simultaneous/selective electrochemical detection of diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBP), capecitabine (CPB), docetaxel (DTX), and fluoxetine (FLX). Protocols testing in real samples. 3 papers published in journals indexed in Web of Science Core Collection, 1 patent request, at least 3 presentations at international scientific conferences and scientific reports.
