Intelligent packaging

The study of organic-inorganic hybrid films has received recently great attention because of its multiple applications. The sol-gel technique allows the synthesis of thin film of organic-inorganic hybrid materials with elevated mechanical and optical property. These materials, whose inorganic part is constituted by silicates (or titanates, zirconates and mixed compounds) have remarkable applicative possibilities, like coating with barrier functions on polymer substrates used in the packaging field. Of particular interest for the applications in food-packaging are the problems of the adhesion of the hybrid systems to the substrate, the formation of defects and the durability for exposure to the light. Although in the last decade great attention has been dedicated to the hybrid organic-inorganic materials, the scientific literature on the structural characterization of hybrid films from sol-gel used as coating on polymer substrates is scarce. Specific studies of the structural evolution of the hybrid coatings and their interaction with polymer materials are then necessary.

Our aim is to produce, characterize and optimize hybrid films (organic and inorganic) for the food packaging technology.

The UR of the Department of Physics of the University of Parma has wide and recognized experience at international level in the structural and dynamics characterization of the materials produced by sol-gel, and in particular of the organic-inorganic hybrids. The main investigation technique, used from more than twenty years, is the Raman and micro-Raman spectroscopy, that is emerging as one of the main tool for the characterization of thin films from sol-gel. In addition, the UR of the Department of Physics of Parma takes advantage on several routine analyses, like XRD and UV-visible absorption, and also optical characterization techniques (birefringence measurements, polarimetry) locally developed. The experience in the use of interferometric techniques can be useful in the study of the films homogeneity and in the detection of microscopic and extended defects.