1. Development and characterization of highly water repellent (superhydrophobic) coatings (SHC)
Preparation at room temperature of SHC by using hydrophobic polymers blend and nanoparticles also with recycled materials and green solvents with spray application for wider surfaces for protection from fouling and corrosion in marine environment and in the field of cultural heritage materials like stones and metals.
Characterization of SHC in natural sea waters exposed to a photoperiod(photosyntetically active) and in dark waters (photosyntetically non active) for the evaluation of the performance in terms of time durability in real marine environment.

2. Wettability properties of highly water repellent surfaces
Studies of dynamic properties and structure of surfactant layers adsorbed at liquid-solid interface in presence of ionic and nonionic amphiphilic in liquid-air and liquid-liquid systems in relationship to the adsorption and partition properties between immiscible liquids.

3. Development of self-healing systems for coatings subject to wearing
Study of core-shell like systems by using self-assembly methods e emulsion synthesis of structure lke capsules for providing self-healing properties to the coatings for local damage repairing.

• EXPERTISE:
  
  • Wettability of surfaces in liquid-air and liquid-liquid systems
  • Development and characterization of amphiphobic coatings
  • AFM microscopy
  • Physical chemistry of surfactant adsorption at liquid and solid surfaces
  • Design and development of tensiometric techniques and equipment
  • Technical/scientific support to experiments in microgravity conditions
  • Bulk characterization of colloidal dispersions (DLS, Zeta potential)
  • Application of superhydrophobic coatings as antibacterial materials in biomedical field.

1. Development and characterization of highly water repellent (superhydrophobic) coatings (SHC)

2. Wettability properties of highly water repellent surfaces

3. Development of self-healing systems for coatings subject to wearing