Physical Chemistry

The external components of spacecraft and satellites endure extreme environmental conditions, including ultra-vacuum, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and atomic oxygen, leading to material degradation over time. Among the most vulnerable parts are the solar panels and their supporting base structures, which lack the protection of multi-layer insulation. This research aims to enhance the resilience of these components through innovative material solutions, contributing to sustainability by addressing space debris and minimizing the depletion of critical Earth resources.

Many organic molecules are efficient light emitters used for optoelectronic devices such as OLEDs, due to their advantages over metallic counterparts, including lower toxicity, simpler disposal, and sustainability. However, the methodologies commonly used in organic synthesis to obtain these molecules often rely on harsh conditions and generate large amounts of waste, making them both ineffective and inefficient. This work aligns with some of the principles of green chemistry across different stages.

In medical imaging, nuclear safety, intelligence, and security applications, there is a high demand for room-temperature radiation detectors. A desirable radiation detection material must exhibit high sensitivity to radiation, high density, and a suitable band gap. Silver antimony sulfide (AgSbS₂) is an emerging ternary semiconductor material with potential applications in photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and radiation detection.

The efficient design and synthesis of emitters for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is a critical area of research, driven by the demand for cost-effective, sustainable, and high-performance blue emitters. This study presents the design and synthesis of 3,3’-bicarbazole-triazine derivatives as potential thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. Using computational modeling, donor-acceptor (D-A) structures were rationally designed to exhibit blue emission and low singlet-triplet energy gaps.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in textile production and, consequently, in the generation of waste. In Brazil alone, approximately 175,000 tons of this type of waste are generated, of which only 36,000 tons are reused. In this context, this work aimed to use textile waste as a base for conversion into conductive materials, adding value to a discarded material.

In the context of growing concerns about energy sustainability and climate change mitigation, the capture and storage of light energy, particularly solar energy, has become a key research area. This study focuses on the development and optimization of bio-based luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), using transparent wood as a host matrix and coumarins as luminescent species.

Advancements in photocatalysis have transformed synthetic organic chemistry, using light as a powerful tool to drive selective chemical transformations.

Mechanochemistry studies the chemical and physicochemical transformations of substances in all states of aggregation induced by mechanical energy processes. It has been growing significantly in recent decades as an alternative method for chemical synthesis that aligns with most of the principles of Green Chemistry. Therefore, it is crucial to understand this tool, which holds immense potential for application in chemical processes, making them more environmentally friendly. This poster was presented at the ACS GCI Green & Sustainable Chemistry Summer School 2024