TiO sub(2)-Oligoaldaramide nanocomposites as efficient core-shell systems for wood preservation

Homogeneous core-shell systems were obtained with a growth, in controlled steps, of several oligoamides on TiO sub(2) nanoparticles. Derivatives of natural compounds, such as l-tartaric acid and alpha , alpha '-trehalose, were used as diesters in the polycondensation reactions with ethylenediamine. TiO sub(2) anatase was chosen because of its high photo-activity and its antimicrobial activity. The TiO sub(2) nanoparticles had been previously activated then functionalized using two different coupling agents, and finally, the TiO sub(2)-oligoamide nanocomposites were synthesized using two synthetic pathways. The final products were characterized by super(1)H NMR, super(13)C NMR, FT-IR, and transmission electron microscope. These nanocomposites can show improved properties in comparison with the single components (TiO sub(2) nanoparticles or oligoamides), which are useful in many fields, such as antimicrobial coatings for surfaces in cultural heritage conservation. A nanocomposite (TiO sub(2)-polyethylenetartaramide) was used for applicative studies, and it has shown a good efficacy against fungal attack by Trametes versicolor on wood specimens (Fagus sylvatica). copyright 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42047.