A significant part of the research activity of the MaTech-Ccult group is dedicated to the development and study of innovative materials to address specific requirements in different fields, for Industry and Construction applications and Cultural Heritage conservation and protection.

As an example the production of nano-filled/nanostructured multifunctional polymer-based materials to employ ad coatings with protective properties (barrier properties, resistance to environmental agents, enhanced mechanical/thermal properties) for different substrates (stone, concrete, glass, plastic, wood, etc.); or proposed as heat-/cold-cured thermosetting (epoxy) polymers for different applications (innovative repair materials and techniques for aircraft structures in FRP, adhesives for automotive industry, matrices for self-healing composites).

It is well known, in fact, that the addition of nanoparticles, possessing different chemical structures, dimensions and shape, can improve or properly modify specific characteristics of the hosting polymeric matrix, these remarkable improvements arising from the very high surface/volume ratio of the nanomaterials and leading to multipurpose “smart” functional nanocomposite. In addition to their chemical composition, the size and the aspect ratio of the nanofillers, as well as their loading content in the polymeric matrix, are all key parameters to take into account to properly tune the features and final performance of the nanocomposite. A subclass of polymeric nanocomposites consists of nano-structured polymers, i.e. the organic–inorganic hybrid materials, where the two different nano-phases are strictly interconnected at a nano-scale level.

The presence of nano-phases in a polymeric matrix can lead to: improvements in mechanical properties of the matrix; enhancements of the adhesion at the interface of different phases; increases in the Tg values; superior barrier properties and reductions in the sensitivity to the environmental agents, with a consequent increase in durability, also against fire.

The interest in such new and promising materials is particularly keen in fields such as the restoration, conservation and protection of Cultural Heritage due to the increased concerns for the preservation of piece-of-art, buildings and structures that represent history, culture and traditions of a Country. Attention is also shown by the companies producing materials to be employed in constructions and Cultural Heritage that, recognizing this field as a promising expansion for their business, are interested to apply for academic research support.

Related publications (last 5 years, only open access are listed):

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/2/301 
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/15/3415 
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/2/476 
http://www.tecneditedizioni.it/compositi-n-53 (pages 8-12)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/9/11/740 
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/11/1/14 
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/8/12/429 
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/8/9/319 
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11998-016-9876-3