Paolo Scopece

Nadir S.r.l., Venice Italy · R&D

In a high‐rise building, due to the risk of flame spread and strict regulations associated, wood use is limited for interior finishes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a thin organosilicon layer (∼500 nm) prepared by atmospheric pressure plasma on the fire behavior of a wood substrate. The coating was deposited from hexamethyldisiloxane i...

rGO densification prior to polymer compounding affects the composite printability and physicochemical properties, which also depend on rGO concentration. The resulting scaffolds support cell viability and osteogenesis, and possess antibacterial properties.

Graphene derivatives combined with polymers have attracted enormous attention for bone tissue engineering applications. Among others, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is one of the preferred graphene-based fillers for the preparation of composites via melt compounding, and their further processing into 3D scaffolds, due to its established large-scale p...

Scaffolds with gradients of physico-chemical properties and controlled 3D architectures are crucial for engineering complex tissues. These can be produced using multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. However, they typically only achieve discrete gradients using separate printheads to vary compositions. Achieving continuous compositi...

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with optimum physicochemical properties are able to elicit specific cellular behaviors and guide tissue formation. However, cell–material interactions are limited in scaffolds fabricated by melt extrusion additive manufacturing (ME-AM) of synthetic polymers, and plasma treatment can be used to render the surface of...

The present study tackles the problem of a sustainable and efficient conservation of cave art, by using innovative materials and techniques for the different steps of the restoration process-Biodeactivation, Biocolonization prevention and Consolidation. The Magura cave in northwest Bulgaria is the case study. It contains an impressive display of pr...

Bone infections following open bone fracture or implant surgery remain a challenge in the orthopedics field. In order to avoid high doses of systemic drug administration, optimized local antibiotic release from scaffolds is required. 3D additive manufactured (AM) scaffolds made with biodegradable polymers are ideal to support bone healing in non-un...

Scaffolds with gradients of physico-chemical properties and controlled 3D architectures are crucial for engineering complex tissues. These can be produced using multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. However, they typically only achieve discrete gradients using separate printheads to vary compositions. Achieving continuous compositi...

Scaffolds with gradients of physico-chemical properties and controlled 3D architectures are crucial for engineering complex tissues. These can be produced using multi-material additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. However, they typically only achieve discrete gradients using separate printheads to vary compositions. Achieving continuous compositi...

Bone infections following open bone fracture or implant surgery remain a challenge in the orthopedics field. In order to avoid high doses of systemic drug administration, optimized local antibiotic release from scaffolds is required. 3D additive manufactured (AM) scaffolds made with biodegradable polymers are ideal to support bone healing in non-un...

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the compatibility of two alternative treatments, in view of their possible use for conservation of prehistoric paintings in the Magura cave (Bulgaria). The paintings are made of bat guano applied over limestone; therefore, two sets of laboratory specimens were considered: stone specimens and ston...

The surface chemistry of scaffolds for tissue regeneration can guide cells growth. In this study, we present a novel method to functionalize electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds allowing the tuning of biomolecule superficial concentration by varying only one process parameter. The method is based on the deposition of NH2 functional groups s...

Presenting the most relevant advances for employing carbon-based nanostructured materials for analytical purposes, this book serves as a reference manual that guides readers through the possibilities and helps when selecting the most appropriate material for targeted analytical applications. It critically discusses the role these nanomaterials can...

Implantable devices need specific tailored surface morphologies and chemistries to interact with the living systems or to actively induce a biological response also by the release of drugs or proteins. These customised requirements foster technologies that can be implemented in additive manufacturing systems. Here we present a novel approach based...

In the last years atmospheric plasma has gained an increasing interest in the field of Cultural Heritage. Isolated experimentations that yet generated interesting results have drawn the attention of a wider community working on coating removal, oxide reduction and sterilization applications. Thanks to this growing multidisciplinary interest, the EU...

Polymers are key building blocks in the development of smart materials for biomedical applications, and many polymers offer unique properties for specific applications. A wide range of materials is available through the use of polymer compounds. These compounds can incorporate performance-enhancing fillers, which provide properties not reachable wi...

Plasma surface activation and plasma polymers deposition are promising technologies capable to modulate biologically relevant surface features of biomaterials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of two different surface modifications, i.e. amine (NH2-Ti) and carboxylic/esteric (COOH/R-Ti) functionalities obtained from...

Luminescent Eu:GdVO4 nanoparticles, with an average size of 60 nm, were deposited first on monocrystalline silicon wafers, then on four different natural stone materials, by a spray-coating technique and a silica layer was subsequently deposited by atmospheric pressure plasma jet to protect the luminescent layer and improve its adhesion to the subs...

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are very used as fillers in polymer nanocomposites research. They cannot be used in their pristine form (magnesium and aluminum hydroxycarbonates) because they exhibit strong interlayer electrostatic interactions and tight basal spacings so that they require the intercalation of organic anions into clay galleries. Th...

Cleaning of historical stone surfaces has always been a challenging task, moreover in the last decades arose new restorations issues such as the need to remove aged conservation polymeric materials to avoid further damage. Different cleaning methodologies flourished in the past, mostly based on chemical, mechanical methods and on laser technology t...

Eu:GdVO4 nanophosphors with an average size of 60 nm, synthesized by a facile solvothermal method, were deposited on monocrystalline silicon wafers by a spray-coating technique with artworks anti-counterfeiting applications in mind. Atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was used to deposit a silica-based layer on top of the nanometric luminescent...

The recent combination of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and magnetic nanoparticles has shown their potential as a composite material in practical applications including drug delivery, catalysis and pollutant sequestration. Here, we report for the first time the preparation of a robust magnetic nanocomposite material based on an aluminium MOF (MIL...

Novel pyrolyzed photoresist carbon electrodes for electroanalytical applications have been produced by photolithographic technology followed by pyrolysis of the photoresist. A study of the determination of Ni(II) dimethylglyoximate (Ni-DMG) through adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry at an in situ bismuth-modified pyrolyzed photoresist electr...

Different deposition methods of nanocomposite silica films with embedded Y2O3:Eu3 +, Tb3 + by atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) technology are presented. We found that a two-step strategy consisting in the APPJ deposition of a silica film on previously deposited nanophosphors is a very efficient method to obtain nanocomposite coatings with exc...

Pyrolyzed photoresist carbon electrodes (PPCEs) fabricated by photolithographic micro-fabrication and pyrolysis of the epoxy-based photoresist named SU-8 are applied to electroanalysis. Bismuth-modified PPCEs (Bi-PPCEs) are used in the adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) of Ni(II) and in the speciation of inorganic Cr, while PPEs are...

A method and a device for generating a plasma in atmospheric- pressure, low-temperature conditions are described herein. The device described for the generation of the plasma comprises a first pair of electrodes, each of which separated by a dielectric layer and externally positioned with respect to a tubular duct where the gas flows, and a second...

Pyrolyzed photoresist carbon electrodes modified with bismuth (Bi-PPCEs) were prepared and used for the determination of trace levels of chromium. In order to lower the detection limit, the choice of the supporting electrolyte concentration and electroanalytical parameters were optimized. The adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric determination...

Pyrolyzed photoresist carbon electrodes (PPCEs) are fabricated by the photopatterning of a negative tone epoxy-based photoresist, SU-8, through optimized standard UV photolithography. The electrochemical characteristics of PPCEs are investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), observing a wider accessible potential window and a smaller capacitance wi...

Among the myriad microfabrication approaches, Deep X-ray Lithography (DXRL) takes advantage of the high penetration depth of hard X-rays. For the first time, this feature has been exploited for the precise control of surface chemical functionalities on a thick porous ceramic material. As a proof of concept, porous alumina membranes with controlled...

The results of a study on the determination of trace levels of arsenic with nanoe-lectrode ensembles (NEEs) are reported. The method is characterized by detection limit as low as 5 ng/L (65 pM) after 3 min preconcentration at -0.4 V. NEEs were applied to trace As analysis in real samples such as certified seawater samples.

3D-ensembles of gold nanowires electrodes (3D-NEEs) are produced by electroless gold deposition in track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membranes, followed by partial etching (plama or chemical) of the polymeric membrane. These electrodes are applied to the anodic stripping voltammetric determination of inorganic As. The controlled etching of the PC tem...

A study on the simultaneous determination of Ni(II) and Co(II) dimethylglyoximates (Ni-DMG and Co-DMG) through adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry at an in situ bismuth-modified gold electrode (Bi-AuE) is report-ed. The key operational parameters, such as Bi(III) concentration, accumulation potential and accumulation time were optimized and t...

In this contribution we report on results from an optimization study of SU-8 photoresist derived carbon electrodes. SU-8 derived carbon tends to be glassy in nature, however, based on the exact pyrolysis strategy and other fabrication parameters employed one can obtain a range of electrical, electrochemical and thermal properties related to the var...

In this contribution we report on results from an optimization study of SU-8 photoresist derived carbon electrodes. SU-8 derived carbon tends to be glassy in nature, however, based on the exact pyrolysis strategy and other fabrication parameters employed one can obtain a range of electrical, electrochemical and thermal properties related to the var...

Many everyday life devices are characterized by the use of transparent conductive coating (TCC) technology. The leader product in the market of transparent conductive materials (TCM) is currently indium tin oxide (ITO), which is characterized by both excellent optical transparency and electrical conductivity. Since the last few decades academic and...

EU PANNA project started on November 2011 and aims at integrating a novel atmospheric plasma technique for surface cleaning and two innovative coating typologies (self-diagnostic protective coatings and identification marker coating) in a full-life protocol spanning surface cleaning, deposition of coatings and their complete removal. The validation...

The preparation of bismuth modified ensembles of gold nanoelectrodes (Bi-NEE) is described for the first time. Bi-NEEs are characterized and successfully applied for anodic stripping voltammetric measurement of trace Pb(II). Optimization of the experimental parameters provided low detection limits of 60 ng L−1 and 30 ng L−1 by using in-situ and ex-...

The preparation of bismuth modified ensembles of gold nanoelectrodes (Bi-NEE) is described for the first time. Bi-NEEs are characterized and successfully applied for anodic stripping voltammetric measurement of trace Pb(II). Optimization of the experimental parameters provided low detection limits of 60 ng L −1 and 30 ng L −1 by using in-situ and e...

The results of a study on the determination of trace levels of arsenic with nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) are reported. In order to lower the detection limit and to increase the number of performable analysis for each NEE, the right choice of the supporting electrolyte concentration and electroanalytical parameters were optimized. The electrochemi...

The cover image features the synergic combination of ultraporous crystals with functional nanoparticles for the fabrication of smart devices. With a one-pot approach, quantum dots are embedded in the framework crystal without affecting the properties of the luminescent particles. The final framework composite represents a new class of ultraporous l...

The incorporation of highly luminescent core-shell quantum dots (QDs) within a metal-organic framework (MOF) is achieved through a one-pot method. Through appropriate surface functionalization, the QDs are solubilized within MOF-5 growth media. This permits the incorporation of the QDs within the evolving framework during the reaction. The resultin...

Nanostructures have a wide range of potential applications in industry because they can impart novel mechanical or functional properties to coatings such as abrasion resistance, UV shielding, superhydrophobicity. In this work we present a method for the fabrication of nanostructured coatings with improved mechanical properties, in which sol-gel nan...

This work reports on the structural and microstructural characterization of a new class of α-hopeite microparticles, which has recently been discovered as ideal seeding agents for the formation and functionalization of metal organic framework (MOF-5) crystals. The particles have been named desert rose microparticles (DRMs), as their morphology clos...

Controlling the position of metal organic frameworks is essential for the fabrication of devices that exploit the hybrid porous crystal properties. On page 3901, Paolo Falcaro, Dario Buso, and co-workers report the preparation of framework composites based on MOF-5 and carbon-coated cobalt nanoparticles, producing a highly porous powder that respon...

Dynamic spatial control of MOF position is obtained by incorporating carbon-coated cobalt nanoparticles within metal organic framework (MOF)-5 crystals. The cobalt framework composite obtained responds efficiently to magnetic stimuli. A luminescent functionality is added, showing that multifunctional MOF devices can be prepared. This new generation...

In industry as well as many areas of scientific research, data collected often contain a number of responses of interest for a chosen set of exploratory variables. Optimization of such multivariable multiresponse systems is a challenge well suited to genetic algorithms as global optimization tools. One such example is the optimization of coating su...

In this study, we report the comparison between Eu3+-doped silica nanoparticles synthesized by Stöber method using Eu(NO3)3 or Eu(acac)3 as precursors. The impact of different europium species on the properties of the final silica nanospheres is investigated in details in terms of size, morphology, reachable doping amount, and luminescence efficien...

An efficient way to increase the gas barrier properties of polymers is the development of silica barrier coatings; in fact inorganic barrier layers like SiNx and SiOx, usually obtained by PECVD, can decrease the gas permeation through polymeric substrates by several orders of magnitude. Nevertheless, the known costs of vacuum systems and in-line pr...

The template method for preparing nanomaterials entails synthesis of tubular or fibrillar nanostructures within the pores of a microporous membrane. If the holes are completely filled, solid nanowires result, while a partial filling with a continuous coating gives rise to nanotubes. This paper focused on the study of the parameters controlling elec...

We have undertaken a systematic investigation of the influence of ethanol on the shape of conical pores produced by the track-etch technique in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films. We have found that the cone angle of the conical nanopore generated is dependent on the amount of ethanol present in an alkaline etching solution. By varying the percenta...

This paper describes the preparation and characterisation of a polymeric electrode coating based on a composite of the poly-(ester-sulphonated) Eastman AQ55® (AQ55) and poly-(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT), which is used for the controlled uptake and partial release of electroactive cations in acetonitrile solutions. The film is prepared by electrochemi...

Metal nanowires were synthesized according to an electroless deposition method in polycarbonate template, obtaining nano electrodes ensembles with specific features and well defined diameter size. Nano electrode ensembles were coupled with disposable screen printed substrate in order to increase the sensitivity of the commonly used carbon graphite...

From 1950s to 1980s, the Venice Lagoon was extensively contaminated with mercury (Hg) from chlor-alkali discharges and other sources, prompting researchers to assess the distribution of contamination in sediments and biota. Since the lagoon is shallow and bordered by extensive wetlands, contains high sulfate from the sea, and high nutrient loading...

The Venice lagoon is an estuarine environment stressed by pollution from urban, industrial and agriculture settings. In spite of the importance of Hg as a pollutant, many aspects of its biogeochemistry within this fragile ecosystem are still unknown. Since the Venice lagoon is shallow, is high in marine SO$_4$ and nutrient loading from agriculture...

This paper examines the possibility to combine potentiometric and voltammetric measurements, both performed at ionomer coated glassy carbon electrodes, in order to determine the concentration and gain information on the redox state of electroactive ions even when they are present at trace (submicromolar) concentration levels. As a model case, the s...