Enzo MENNA profile

Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry since 2010, at the University of Padova where he received his Laurea Degree in Chemistry in 1995, cum laude. From 1996 through 1998 he was PhD student at the same University with a project concerning the study on hydrogen bonds by NMR measurements and quantum chemical calculations. His present activity concerns the synthesis of organic materials. In 1999 he started working, as Assistant Professor, on the functionalization of fullerenes. Since then he developed a branch concerning the chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes, an almost unexplored topic at that time, then extended to other carbon nanostructures (CNSs), such as Graphene Based Materials. Main goal of his research has been the realization of soluble and functional CNSs derivatives. The products that were obtained have allowed the study of physico-chemical properties of CNSs in solution and the incorporation in polymer matrices. His research activity is mainly focused on materials for energy conversion and storage or for biomedical applications. He has been research unit leader of a European NanoSciERA project (encapsulation of photoactive molecules inside SWCNTs), of a collaborative project with VenetoNanotech ScpA (impact of CNSs on human health), of a FIRB-FiR (CNS-based organic solar cells) and of a PRIN project (hybrid photovoltaics), both funded by Italian Ministry of Research. He also participated at an EU FP7 project (Nanocomposite and Nanostructured Polymeric Membranes for Gas and Vapour Separations). He is executive board member of the Centre for Mechanics of Biological Materials (CMBM) and of the Centre “Giorgio Levi Cases” for Energy Economics and Technology of the University of Padova. He teaches organic chemistry and chemistry of organic materials. Co-author of 94 scientific papers (80 in ISI journals, with average IF = 7.8, and 14 publications including book chapters and conference proceedings) and 1 patent. (upd. 2023.06)

Organic functionalization of carbon nanostructures (CNS): nanotubes, graphene (RGO), nanocones, etc. Preparation of CNS-polymer nanocomposites. In particular composites based on semiconducting polymers (energy conversion and storage) and biocompatible polymers (biomedical and tissue regeneration). Characterization: TGA, DSC, Raman, UV-Vis-NIR.