The main research activity is devoted to the study of
thermodynamic and transport properties of low molecular weight
species in polymer based systems, from both the experimental and
the modeling point of view. The experimental work is carried out by
means of different apparatuses for the characterization of
permeation and sorption of gases, vapors and liquids in polymeric
materials in different conditions of temperature, pressure and
composition. The modeling activity regards the theoretical analysis
of thermodynamic properties of polymer/penetrant systems above and
below Tg, with particular care devoted to the case of
nonequilibrium behavior of glassy polymers. The study of the
kinetics of diffusion is also carried out by means of specific
models for gas and vapor permeation in complex systems, such as
nanocomposites, semicrystalline polymers or polymer blends or
copolymers; as well as the analysis of anomalous diffusion in
swelling glassy polymers.
Molecular modeling techniques are considered for the description
of oligomeric and polymer systems by means of Molecular Dynamics
approach, which is used to mimic the thermodynamics and the
mechanisms of diffusion during sorption, whereas continuum based
approaches are developed for the analysis of transport properties
in multi-phase systems of different natures and for the
thermodynamics of polymer/solvent systems.
