Dr Corneliu Sergiu Stan

Carbon nanomaterials as solar UV protectors targeting applications ranging from paints/varnishes to pharma/cosmetic products

The main goal of the project is the development of novel nanostructured carbon dots for their application as solar/UV protectors in various materials, ranging from paints/varnishes for automotive/household to pharmaceutical/cosmetic products and formulations. The proposal considers an entirely new approach in solar UV protection based on highly photoluminescent Carbon Dots (CDs) through efficient translation of the incident solar UV radiation towards longer wavelengths. The lower energy photons produced in the radiative processes within the CDs are far less capable of inducing irreversible changes over the chemical/structural properties of the exposed surfaces. CDs are particularly suited for this approach due to their wide range UV excitation of the radiative processes, physico-chemical stability, inertness, lack of toxicity, biocompatibility and ease of fabrication. The starting point of the project proposal is supported by the candidate’s work on highly photoluminescent imide derived CDs and by the expertise of the host investigator on photochemistry of carbon materials. The prepared materials will be thoroughly characterized so as to optimize their optical and photochemical properties, and the provided UV protection will be assayed upon their integration in various supports of relevance of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.