NANOCOATING ANTIBATTERICI PER L’INCLUSIONE SOCIALE DEI NON VEDENTI IN AMBITO MUSEALE

Abstract

The research and experimentation activity has been carried on in the frame of the Master for Expert on Nanotechnology for Cultural Heritage, held at the University of Palermo, year 2020-2021. The project aims to verify the performance over time and the bio-receptivity of the antibacterial treatments developed by the company SenseFulDesign srl, a Sicilian start-up, which produces tactile maps and reproductions of monuments with antibacterial properties, in order to promote the social inclusion of the blind. This experimentation involved the multi-parametric evaluation of two different antibacterial nanocoating, which were applied on three different types of substrates used for the realization of tactile maps to be used in museums, both indoors and outdoors. After the application of the nanocoating on the different surfaces, physical-mechanical characterization tests (Pencil Hardness Test, Peeling test, Abrasion measurements) were performed in order to evaluate the scratch resistance and their adhesion. Subsequently, the samples were artificially aged, by means of an accelerated aging test (thermohygrometric, salt fog chamber) and the Washout Test, designed with the aim of evaluating the resistance of the nanocoating to the flow of rainwater. To estimate any alterations of the surface morphology of the samples end their persistence on the treated surfaces, the wettability measurement was used, measuring the contact angle of the water droplet deposited on the surface of the treated and untreated samples and its variation before and after artificial aging. The evaluation of the antibacterial activity was performed by preliminary microbiological tests on treated and unaged samples and, subsequently, on treated and aged samples. These results were compared with samples not treated with antibacterial (white) nanocoating in order to determine their effective efficacy. The results showed how aging influences the activity of the nanocoating and, in particular, that S. aureus is resistant to antibacterial action, while E. coli is sensitive.