RICERCA ITALIANA     

SUPERFICI ED INTERFASI NANOSTRUTTURATE

Università degli Studi di Torino

Principal Investigator

Adriano ZECCHINA Università degli Studi di TORINO

Research Objectives

The manufacturing and synthesis of nano-structured materials (shortly "nano-technology") requires the use of physical and chemical techniques allowing the manipulation of matter atom by atom or cluster by cluster. Only in this way it is in fact possible to satisfactorily control the dimensions of the particles forming the wanted material, their shape, morphology and surface nano-structure.Due to the high ratio between the number of surface and bulk atoms in nano-structured materials, the physical and chemical phenomena at the interphase between different particles or domains (steric effects, effects due to chemical bonds, strains, bending or to atomic or, more in general, "nano-metric" impurities) and between the material and the liquid and/or gaseous surrounding (van der Waals interactions, chemical bonds formation, electric and photochemical effects) play a central role in determining the properties of complex materials characterized by extended interphasic surfaces, as schematically illustrated in the following Figure.$IMM_PER_0018On this ground, a research program based on the preparation, nano-structural modification, characterization of the physico-chemical properties, and modelling of the of the surfaces and interphases of high surface area materials can represent an important challenge on the basic as well as on the applicative ground and requires a multidisciplinary approach involving the collaboration of experts in the areas of technology, physics, chemistry and biology.The need for a multidisciplinary approach is also due to the fact that in many of the micro-devices utilizing nano-structured materials with extended surface area, more than one of the interphases cited above are often simultaneously involved.A further effective element joining researchers of different disciplines involved in this kind of studies is that the methods for the structural characterization of the materials and of the different interphases are often the same and requires such relevant investments for the acquisition of proper instrumentations which can not be undertaken by individual groups of small dimensions.Moreover, the constitution of a center of excellence based on contents summarized above can be further justified by the fact that by the University of Turin are present researchers and research groups which, beyond any possibility of refutation, can be considered as possessing characteristics of excellence at the national as well as at the international level. More in detail, standard of excellence have been reached since long time in the fields of surface spectroscopies (EPR, FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman, XANES and EXAFS), photoactive systems, solid-solid interfaces, solid-protein and solid-cell interactions and, finally, of modelling methods applied to the study of the solid state and of surfaces. On this ground, a larger, coordinated interaction of these groups within the frame of an integrated program can represent a further progress of an already favourable situation. Because of this background, it is evident that the set up of a multidisciplinary centre:"Nano-structured surfaces and interphases"based on the following topics:1. Nano-structured interfaces in the solid state2. Nano-structured thin films for coatings and functional applications3. Nano-structured oxidic surfaces and their interaction with gaseous phases4. Molecular interactions in solid-liquid and liquid-membrane interphases5. Molecular interactions in complex and nano-structured bio-interphases: solid-protein-celland dedicated to the study of the synthesis and nano-structuring of materials possessing largely developed interfaces, to the study of surface interactions of the solid-solid, solid-liquid, solid-solutions, solid-gas, membrane-liquid and bio-membrane-solutions types could contribute to an effective and substantial advance of the research in this field. Further advantages are associated with the creation of common spaces and services which can advantage or allow:i) A more rational usage of the complex equipments needed, at the experimental level as well as for calculations, for this kind of studies and which are either already existing or to be acquiredii) A complete highlighting of the individual expertiseiii) To make available the structure of the centre for formative teaching at the PhD level in the physics, chemistry, biology and material sciences areasiv) To popularise the research activity in school and companies of the fieldv) Studies devoted to evaluate the possibility of transfer the results of the fundamental research to applications of industrial interestvi) The training of graduated for incubation activitiesvii) The development of activities typical of a "service centre" allowing the accessibility of industries to large and high value instrumentations useful for materials investigation and characterizationviii) The establishment of more coordinated scientific relationships with industrial groups having interests in the previously mentioned fields.ix) Reference center for european material science research network. $IMM_PER_0020It is useful to recall that the proposal for the establishment of a research centre operating in the field of nano-technologies at the University of Turin has been also suggested as one of the possible activities in the frame of the PNR (National Research Program) 2000-2003 were it appears as a priority objective.This proposal has been advanced based on the statement of the fact that at the University of Turin are operating since long time groups of specialists experts in this field. Such groups, which also operate in the framework of national consortiums and institutes (INSTM, INFM) have recently originated a network with regional character named "Centro Consortile per le Nanotecnologie e la Modellistica di Materiali e Processi" (Consortium Centre for Nano-technology and Modelling of Materials and Processes) which collects researchers of both academic and industrial institutions of the Piedmont area.With the present proposal for the establishment of the Centre "Superfici e Interfasi Nanostrutturate" (Nanostructured Surfaces and Interphases) it is intended to reinforce this collaboration with the aim of increasing and bring to an excellence level (in both Italy and Europe) the knowledge in this area and to favour the exchange of scientific information between public and private research sectors. The establishment of the Centre is also favoured by the availability of a suitable building "Edilscuola" which has been got recently by Torino University.The final aim is the widening of the Centro in order to include the active participation of industrial partners and the collaboration of researchers belonging to the second University of the Piemonte Region.It is underlined that the reseach activities of the Centro are involved in European research programs from whom it is co-financed, allowing a direct relation with the others countries of the European Community. <<<