NanoCARE - NanoCompositi polimerici Avanzati per la Riduzione dell'Esposizione al rischio infettivo in ambienti sanitari

The project, structured over a two-year activity, has the general objective of developing new polymer-based nanocomposites containing appropriately modified clays in order to impart antibacterial and antiviral activity to the final materials. The aim is to test different polymeric materials, such as epoxy resins not derived from bisphenol A and thermoplastics, to be used in the prototype 3-D printer acquired within the previous INAIL-funded project. The introduction of clays as fillers in polymer-based composites also leads to an improvement in mechanical properties and thermal resistance. Therefore, the project aims to prepare composites characterized not only by biocidal activity but also by adequate mechanical (possibly with the inclusion of reinforcing fibers) and thermal properties. Given the complexity of the topic and the ambitious nature of the specific objectives, the planned activities require the integration of qualified expertise in different fields (chemical, microbiological, materials science, and medical), capable of operating in synergy and complementarity, following a logical sequence of activities that can be outlined as follows: i) Preparation and characterization (chemical, morphological, and antimicrobial activity) of modified clays; ii) Preparation and characterization of polymer-based nanocomposites containing the modified clays, including ternary systems with reinforcing fibers and hybrid materials; iii) Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the prepared nanocomposites using specimens of standardized size and shape for microbiological and mechanical testing (the metal molds were acquired during the previous project), including a comparative analysis between surface-functionalized materials and hybrid materials with properties distributed throughout the bulk; iv) Preparation of panels of suitable thickness and dimensions by casting (infusion in the case of ternary nanocomposites) or by 3-D printing; v) Evaluation of the ability of the developed prototypes to prevent surface contamination by pathogenic agents when installed in a hospital environment and subjected to ordinary use, with particular attention to the durability of functional properties, through the application of a new sampling and analysis methodology capable of detecting “viable but non-culturable cells” that escape conventional environmental monitoring procedures; vi) Collection and sharing of available information on the health and safety aspects of the nanocomposites used and their related production processes, in order to assess their safe and responsible use. This activity may also be extended to the analysis of casting and 3-D printing processes to prevent potential emissions of nanometric material during working phases.