A strategy towards melanin-based functional material: rGO and sulfonated melanin composites

Melanin is a natural pigment and one of the most promising materials for the emerging field of bioelectronics. The low conductivity of this class of materials is a limiting factor to their implementation on electronics. In this work, we have improved the electrical properties of a melanin-like mater...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Bregadiolli, Bruna Andressa [UNESP], Paulin, João Vitor, Albano, Luiz Gustavo Simão [UNESP], Martins, Lucas Michelão [UNESP], Camargo, Davi Henrique Starnini de, Silva-Filho, Luiz Carlos da [UNESP], Bufon, Carlos Cesar Bof, Graeff, Carlos Frederico de Oliveira [UNESP]
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2021
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repository:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/215226
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11449/215226
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Bioeletronic material
Melanin
rGO
Composites
Electrical Properties
Description
Summary:Melanin is a natural pigment and one of the most promising materials for the emerging field of bioelectronics. The low conductivity of this class of materials is a limiting factor to their implementation on electronics. In this work, we have improved the electrical properties of a melanin-like material by combining it with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Three different concentrations of rGO (5, 10 and 15 wt%) were studied. The composites were structurally (SEM, Raman, XPS, FTIR, and solid-state NMR) and optically (UV-vis and PL) characterized. The electrical properties were investigated through transient current, current-voltage curves and electrochemical impedance under different humidity levels. An improved DC conductivity was found for the 15%rGO@sulfonated melanin composite. The results suggest that, together with sulfonated melanin, it could potentially be suitable for application in bioelectronics and/or organic electronics