Design, synthesis and characterisation of coordination and organo-metallic compounds for fine chemical applications.
The increasing request for materials with new and/or improved properties and the need to control their compositional and structural homogeneity and reproducibility, by means of new eco-friendly synthesis routes, require high molecular precursors availability. Physical and chemical properties of the new precursors need to fit the material preparation procedures, also allowing the compatibility between reaction requirements and physico-chemical and functional properties of the target material.
New inorganic materials, organic, hybrid for preservation and consolidation of building materials and cultural heritage
Calcium alkoxides for the conservation of stone and woodhistorical artifacts
Despite the great number of treatments that have been used and are still in use to cope the problem of deterioration of lime-based historical artifacts, no real solution has been found yet. Neither the organic polymers nor inorganic treatments have demonstrated to guarantee satisfying performances. If the former suffer from incompatibility with the substrate and long-term irreversibility (due to physico-chemical modification of the polymer itself), the latter, though more compatible, show the drawback of scarce solubility. To overcome this problem, micro-and nano-dispersions of calcium hydroxide in alcohol have recently also been prepared and tested.
- Development of Fiber Reinforced Geopolymers composites (FRGP) as Structural Strengthening Material for Brick Masonry
- Use of fly ash for requalification of industrial wastes
- Geopolymer panels systems
- Use of geopolymer activators as catalyst for fired clay bricks with low energy consumption.
- Geopolymer furniture elements
- Archaeometric Investigation on Geopolymeric Binders of Roman Water Works (Opus Signinum) in Verona.
- Geopolymers in the restoration of pottery, ceramics and bricks
Synthesis and characterisation of photocatalytic materials and photocatalytic test for water and air depollution
Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are nowadays deeply investigated for environmental applications, especially for air and water quality. Photocatalytic materials catalyse the mineralisation of a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants, producing, as final product, water, carbon dioxide and inert inorganic salts.
The research activity is articulated along three complementary lines:
- Synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanosystems (thin films, nanopowders) through liquid phase soft-chemical approaches
- Functionalization of nanostructures with molecules and metal complexes through chemical grafting and/or embedding
- Self-assembly and organization of coordination driven metallo-supramolecular architectures