Tailoring and manipulation of multi-element granular nano-materials

The project will investigate the properties of nanoparticle (NP) based ultrathin films obtained by supersonic cluster beam deposition. Such films might find applications as control measure against bacteria proliferation on surfaces of metal objects such as lift buttons or handles in hospital settings. Some of the crucial points to be addressed are: 1) the control of the NP adhesion to surfaces both through their engineering during synthesis or via surface functionalization. 2) the improvement of the bactericidal efficacy of the NPs. Both issues will be tackled by modifying the NP composition by obtaining formation of alloyed NPs or by surface functionalization by simple processes of physical type (Plasma treatments). The NP properties will be characterized in detail with a number of scanning probe-, structural and spectroscopic techniques. The activity against bacteria will be tested for Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains typical of nosocomial environments exploiting an existing collaboration with a microbiology group at the University of Siena.status: publishe