Project ID: CONTRACT No. 7PED/2024 din 03/01/2025
Project Director: Dr. Andreea Nila
Project Type: National
Project Program: PNCDI IV - Programme 5.7 - 7.1. PED-2024
Funded by: Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, UEFISCDI
Contractor: National Instiute of Materials Physics
Start Date: 3 January, 2025
End Date: 31 December, 2026

Project Abstract:

The rapid and efficient quantification of low-level pharmaceuticals represents a significant sensory challenge with numerous potential benefits for clinical medicine and pharmacology. The project aims to utilize graphene-functionalized black phosphorus heterostructures (G-BP HSs) decorated with metal nanoparticles (M=Ag, Au, and Ag@Au) as optical and electrochemical sensors to quantify two categories of medicines: (a) atorvastatin calcium (ATC), a drug recommended for the prevention of cardiovascular disease; and (b) levothyroxine (LT4), a medication commonly used to treat hypothyroidism in the field of endocrinology. G-BP/Ag, G-BP/Au, and G-BP/Ag@Au Hs will thus be developed, tested, and validated as sensor supports using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy and electrochemical methods (EM). The integration of G-BP and Ag or Au plasmonic NPs involves a substantial number of Ag or Au NPs spots with strong, localized plasmonic resonances, thereby enhancing the Hs's efficiency as SERS sensors for drug detection. The reproductivity and sensitivity of the three optical sensors immobilized with ATC and LT4 will be evaluated using Raman and SERS spectra. Furthermore, the SERS performances will be investigated with regard to the limit of detection (LOD) and the SERS enhancement factor. Finally, electrochemical sensor supports will be further advanced considering the LOD of screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with G-BP/M NPs using EM techniques such as cyclic voltammetry/differential pulse voltammetry, and/or electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.