We assemble molecules into macromolecular, hybrid and composite materials, whose nanoscale structure gives improved mechanical and electrical properties, new functionalities.
The goal of this research line is to assemble small molecules, polymers and other nanoscopic objects into innovative materials, to enable new applications in Energy production and storage, Optoelectronics, Environmental care, Mechanics and Biology.
In our work nanotechnology and supramolecular chemistry are used to create new materials for mechanical, electronics and energy applications. In particular, we work on the production of carbon-based composite materials and on the characterization of their structure and charge transport at the nanoscale.

To achieve our goal, we exploit the tiny chemical and physical interactions acting between molecules at the atomic scale to assemble them into complex structures, obtaining in this way new properties for such materials and improved performance at the macroscopic scale.
We use both top-down and bottom-up approaches, synthetic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology to synthesize, process and use our materials, into working devices, taking advantage of the expertise of a skilled team of chemists, physicists and engineers.
We develop innovative bioactive and biobased 2D and 3D scaffolds, such as films, electrospun micro and nanofibers, nanoparticles and sponges, of potential interest in optoelectronic and medical devices. In particular we use natural polymers as keratin and fibroin extracted from waste wool and silk. We combine these proteins with bioactive compounds having antioxidant and antimicrobial properties extracted in water from various renewable biomass, relying on the main principles of circular economy.
Latest news on Materials science
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The Advanced Materials, Nanomaterials and Biophysics Working Group
The Advanced Materials, Nanomaterials and Biophysics Working Group at ITALY-U.S. Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation 26 – 27 January, 2023, Farnesina, Rome. …
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How to catch a Li-ion: new materials for Energy Storage
ISOF Researcher talks at KEY ENERGY international trade show about materials science, batteries and supercapacitors
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Celebrating 10 years of Emerging Investigators
A special themed collection from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
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Report on nanomaterials toxicity of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)
The study was performed by Innovamol Consulting Srl and ISOF experts
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New collaboration to fight microplastic pollution in the oceans
ISOF and the University of Ferrara signed recently a collaboration agreement to study new methods to produce plastic, and to reduce plastic pollution in the …
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CNR-Industry collaboration to purify water from new PFAS contaminants
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of persistent compounds used in industrial processes and everyday products, including pharmaceuticals, adhesives, insecticides and fire retardants. PFAS have …