Giuseppe Bonifazi

Sapienza University of Rome | la sapienza · Department of Chemical Materials, Environmental Engineering DICMA

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a powerful non-invasive technique for assessing the optical properties of human tissues, capturing spectral signatures that reflect their biochemical and structural characteristics. In this study, we investigated the use of NIR reflectance spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis to distinguish between pat...

In this work, a comprehensive characterization of microplastic samples collected from unique geographical locations, including the Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, Western Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Biscay utilizing advanced hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques working in the short-wave infrared range (1000–2500 nm) is presented. More in de...

In this work, the monitoring and characterization of large microplastics (1–5 mm) collected from sandy beaches of Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy) were carried out for the first time. Microplastics were sampled from two beaches, “Gelso” and “Sabbie Nere,” in three different time periods. The following characteristics of microplastic...

In this manuscript, a method that utilizes classical image techniques to assess particle aggregation and segregation, with the primary goal of validating particle size distribution determined by conventional methods, is presented. This approach can represent a supplementary tool in quality control systems for powder production processes in industri...

Reusing and recycling End-Of-Life (EoL) textiles is a successful approach to develop sustainable and circular strategies in the apparel industry. Textile reuse and recycling can help to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry by preserving natural resources and reducing waste. Textile fibers recognition and sorting, acco...

The aim of the research presented in this paper is to monitor the stability of three protective products applied on samples of Peperino stone, a volcanic tuff widely used for the historic buildings and architectural elements in Viterbo (Italy), using portable devices. More in detail, two different monitoring techniques were applied: VIS-NIR point s...

The present paper summarizes the fundamental results of the study and restoration of the gilded stucco decoration of the Lante Della Rovere Chapel of Palazzo Orsini in Bomarzo (Viterbo), which was the subject of a master's thesis in Conservation and Restoration of the Cultural Heritage at University of Tuscia. The diagnostics was fundamental for un...

Plastic in agriculture is frequently used to protect crops and its use boosts output, enhances food quality, contributes to minimize water consumption, and reduces the environmental impacts of agricultural activities. On the other hand, end-of-life plastic management and disposal are the main issues related to their presence in this kind of environ...

Nowadays, recycling of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is a challenging opportunity for the management of such end-of-life (EOL) materials through alternative methods to environmentally unsustainable methods (i.e., landfilling). In order to make recycling processes more effective, quality control systems are needed. In this work, the possi...

In this study, the possibility of applying the hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique in the Short-Wave InfraRed (SWIR) spectral range to characterize polymeric parts coming from Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is explored. Different case studies are presented referring to the identification of (i) plastic flakes inside a mixed w...

In a circular economy perspective, the development of fast and efficient sensor-based recognition strategies of plastic waste, not only by polymer but also by color, plays a crucial role for the production of high quality secondary raw materials in recycling plants. In this work, mixed colored flakes of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from packagi...

The aim of this study was the development of a new multi-analytical approach to evaluate chemical alterations and differences in the element content in relation to arsenic (As) in the As hyperaccumulator fern P. vittata. P. vittata plants were grown on two natural As-rich soils with either high or moderate As (750 and 58 mg/kg). Dried samples from...

During an earthquake, a large amount of waste was generated, and many Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM) were unintentionally destroyed. ACM is a mixture of cement matrix and asbestos fiber, widely used in construction materials, that causes serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, as a consequence of inhalation of the as...

This paper reported a study based on the application of SWIR (shortwave infrared) spectroscopy to assess the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in plastic scraps coming from an e-waste stream composed by CRT (i.e., cathode-ray tube) monitors and televisions. An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was performed on plastic scraps to determi...

The goal of this study was to evaluate the degradation of plastic packaging waste in seawater and under simulated solar radiation by different spectroscopic techniques in view of their potential recycling. Selected packaging products made of polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) were weathered in a Solar Box for...

Asbestos has been widely used in many applications for its technical properties (i.e. resistance to abrasion, heat and chemicals). Despite its properties, asbestos is recognized as a hazardous material to human health. In this paper a study, based on multivariate analysis, was carried out to verify the possibilities to utilize the hyperspectral ima...

The life cycle of textiles (i.e., fabrics and apparel products) generates many environmental impacts, such as resource consumption, water, soil, and air pollution through the dispersion of chemical substances and greenhouse gases. For these reasons, in 2019, textiles were identified as a “priority product category for the circular economy” by the E...

In this review the main standard and novel analytical techniques and methods for sampling, sample preparation, detection and quantification of asbestos in soil and water are described, compared and discussed in terms of advantages and limitations. An overview of common analytical methods applied for identification and quantification of airborne asb...

The design and adoption of suitable treatments for contaminated/uncontaminated fractions contained in excavated soils is usually carried out in order to reduce resource consumption and waste disposal. In this work, an ad-hoc designed process for separating asbestos-cement fragments from excavated soils and earths is proposed. It is based on a seque...

In this study, benchtop micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µXRF) was evaluated as a green and cost-effective multielemental analytical technique for P. vittata. Here, we compare the arsenic (As) content values obtained from the same samples by µXRF and inductively coupled plasma-optical emissions spectrometry (ICP–OES). To obtain samples with d...

In this work, freshwater microplastic samples collected from four different stations along the Italian Po river were characterized in terms of abundance, distribution, category, morphological and morphometrical features, and polymer type. The correlation between microplastic category and polymer type was also evaluated. Polymer identification was c...

In this work, arsenic (As) accumulation and distribution over time in Pteris vittata young fronds from adult plants and in whole plantlets, grown on a highly contaminated As-soil, was determined by μ-XRF. A linear increase in As content up to 60 days was found in young fronds at different times, and a progressive distribution from the apex to the b...

In the last few decades, the procedure for identifying, classifying and mapping the asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and contaminated areas, is considered one of the most important aspects for the purpose of remediation. This task, carried out by skilled workers, can be very long and difficult to perform, and it can also increase the risk of i...

The proposed study was carried out to develop a fast and efficient strategy for plastic waste sensor-based sorting in recycling plants, based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI), combined with variable selection methods, to produce a high-quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes stream. Variable selection techniques were applied in order...

Discovered more than 40 years ago, microplastics have become a major environmental issue. With increasing global plastic production, microplastics are of growing concern. Landfills have been pinpointed as primary sources of microplastics to surface waters and they have, in fact, been identified and quantified as such. Due to their small size, diffe...

Detection of brominated plastics from e-waste by short wave infrared spectroscopy

In this study, effective solutions for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) coupled with variable selection method, were developed and optimized. Hyperspectral images of post-consumer plastic flakes, composed by PET and small quantities of other polymers, considered as contaminants, were acquired in the sh...

In this paper, a methodological approach based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) working in the shortwave infrared range (1000-2500 nm) was developed and applied for the recycling-oriented characterization of post-earthquake building waste. In more detail, the presence of residual cement mortar on the surface of tile fragments that can be recycled as...

In post-stroke hemiparesis, neural impairment alters muscle control, causing abnormal movement and posture in the affected limbs. A decrease in voluntary use of the paretic arm and flexed posture during rest also induce secondary tissue transformation in the upper limb muscles. To obtain a specific, accurate, and reproducible marker of the current...

In this work, the application of Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR: 1000–2500 nm) spectroscopy was evaluated to identify plastic waste containing brominated flame retardants (BFRs) using two different technologies: a portable spectroradiometer, providing spectra of single spots, and a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) platform, acquiring spectral images. X-ray F...

Plastics are very valuable material for their desirable characteristics being one of them, their durability. But this characteristic turns plastics into an environmental problem when they end in the environment, and they become one source of contamination that can last for centuries. Thus, the first step for effective recycling is to identify corre...

Multispectral imaging is a preliminary screening technique for the study of paintings. Although it permits the identification of several mineral pigments by their spectral behavior, it is considered less performing concerning hyperspectral imaging, since a limited number of wavelengths are selected. In this work, we propose an optimized method to m...

This paper reports the results of particle size analysis and colour measurements concerning yellow powders, synthesised in our laboratories according to ancient recipes aiming at producing pigments for paintings, ceramics, and glasses. These pigments are based on lead and antimony as chemical elements, that, combined in different proportions and fi...

The aim of the present work is to investigate the surface properties and the effect of a water-based coating on chestnut wood (Castanea sativa Mill.), both untreated and thermally treated. Chestnut is very common throughout the Mediterranean region and its wood is widely used as timber, especially in Central Italy, to build window fixtures and door...

Recycling of post-consumer packaging wastes involves a complex chain of activities, usually based on three main stages, that is: i) collection from households or recovery from Municipal solid waste (MSW), ii) sorting and, finally, iii) mechanical recycling. The systematic identification of impurities inside plastic packaging waste streams, and the...

In this paper different multivariate classification methods applied to hyperspectral images acquired in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000-2500 nm) were evaluated for quality control of pistachio nuts. In more detail, the detection of contaminants in edible pistachio products was assessed. Six material classes (i.e. edible and inedible pista...

A micro X-ray fluorescence-based approach for the chemical characterization of spent printed circuit boards (PCBSPCBSS) from mobile phones was applied. More in detail, twelve spent mobile phones were grouped into three clusters according to brands, models and year of release, and a study to evaluate the technological evolution of PCBSs over time wa...

Reflectance Visible (Vis) and Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) spectra of pre-cooked pasta products were collected in a non-invasive way by using an ASD FieldSpec® 4 Standard–Res portable spectrophotoradiometer (350–2500 nm). Vis-SWIR data were collected on 6 samples of Pennette 72 and 6 samples of Mezze Penne with different salting levels with the aid o...

Advancement of technology and device miniaturization have made near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques cost–effective, small–sized, simple, and ready to use. We applied NIRS to analyze healthy human muscles in vivo, and we found that this technique produces reliable and reproducible spectral “fingerprints” of individual muscles, that can be su...

The number of flat monitors from televisions, notebooks and tablets has increased dramatically in recent years, thus resulting in a corresponding rise in Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This fact is linked to the production of new high-performance electronic devices. Taking into account a future volume growth trend of WEEE, t...

In this report, the energy consumption of 25 agricultural companies, which produce milk for the Soresina consortium, was evaluated.The purpose was to determine a Standard Energy Diagnosis Procedure (SEDP), for the agricultural sector. In the case of study below, the farm company has decided to adhere to a process of technological renewal, able to r...

Optical based characterization techniques and related analytical methodologies, originally utilized in the mineral sector, can be profitably applied to solid waste streams products as resulting from different recycling processes. This approach, when supported by digital tools allows to perform a full characterization of compositional and textural a...

Asbestos was largely used in the past by several countries all over the world. From 1900 to 1990 asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were produced in large amounts and mainly utilized to produce insulation, flame retardant materials, as well as to improve the mechanical and the chemical characteristics of construction materials. Its extensive use...

The “Digital Fresco” is an innovative decorating technique that involves transferring digital images on wall surfaces through a transfer paper with solvent-based ink and fixative resulting in a final effect very similar to fresco painting. For this reason it is called “digital fresco”. The technique, patented by Graphic Report, with the name of Tat...

L’“Affresco Digitale” è un’innovativa tecnica di decorazione che utilizza immagini elaborate al computer e trasferite su superfici di qualsiasi natura e dimensioni; consiste ell’effettivo trasferimento del colore direttamente sulla superficie desiderata con un “effetto affresco”. La tecnica brevettata dalla Graphic Report, con il nome di Tattoo Wal...

This paper reports the results of a preliminary investigation aimed at testing the stability of a new functionalized nano-silica based protective, named Silo N7, in comparison to traditional commercial products, i.e. poly-siloxane and fluorinated elastomer. The product has been applied on an igneous rock known as Sperone stone, widely used in the s...

This research concerns the application of micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) mapping to the investigation of a group of selected metal objects from the archaeological site of Ferento, a Roman and then medieval town in Central Italy. Specifically, attention was focused on two test pits, named IV and V, in which metal objects were found, mainly pertaini...

The technological innovation and the relentless marketing of new electronic products with improved performance generate increasing quantities of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). In this scenario, End-Of-Life (EOL) flat monitors and screens represent a category generating, as a consequence of the rapid change in technology, an...

Plastic is one of the materials mostly used in many industrial sectors, as those of packaging, construction, agriculture, etc. Furthermore, polymers are also extensively used in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) manufacturing. Plastic waste originating from EEE (WEEE) is a challenge for recycling due to presence of various hazardous element...

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used in different types of products such as plastic, textiles and electronic circuits with the aim to increase fire resistance and to avoid or to delay the propagation of accidental combustion. However, high concentrations of bromine in waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) hinder the possibili...

This work aimed to develop and propose methods for evaluating the metal degree of liberation to characterize the metal deportment/concentration and liberation/association of mechanically processed waste Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that hold the complex and heterogeneity structure and metal distribution/association. Waste PCBs passed through a ser...