Valeria La Torre

Valeria La Torre

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 November 2021 in Coatings
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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VTValeria La Torre
Valeria La Torre
ERElisa Rambaldi
Elisa Rambaldi
Giulia MasiGiulia Masi
Giulia Masi
SNSilvia Nici
Silvia Nici
Daniele GhezziDaniele Ghezzi
Daniele Ghezzi
Maria Chiara BignozziMaria Chiara Bignozzi
Maria Chiara Bignozzi
Ceramic tiles are bacteriostatic materials; however, the COVID-19 emergency has pushed tile producers to improve surfaces’ antibacterial properties. The aim of this work was to validate a silver-based antibacterial treatment applied to porcelain stoneware tiles based on natural and waste materials, thus correlating surface functionalization to tile composition and relevant physical, microstructural, and textural parameters. The treatment was applied before firing, with and without a polymeric primer. Antibacterial activity tests, stain resistance tests, and contact angle measurements were carried out on fired tiles. Further investigations were made by SEM and optical profilometry in order to study the morphological–structural profile of tile surfaces. Results showed strong antibacterial activities for all the functionalized tiles, which were mainly correlated to the morphological and textural parameters of ceramic surfaces, as well as the presence of the polymeric primer.