Ricerc@Sapienza

A new hybrid nanocomposite material was developed to monitor the effects of UV-C radiation on space-grade structures. Ultraviolet radiation represents one of the most critical limitations for human space exploration and survival. In particular, the UV-C band with shorter wavelengths (100-280 nm) can severely damage materials and life in space. Ultraviolet sensing films were realized using graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as signal transducer and DNA as biological sensitive component. Hybrid GNP/DNA nanoparticles were dispersed into a conductive polymer matrix of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to improve the adhesion of the sensing film on space-grade structures based on epoxy resins.