Roberto Avolio

Italian National Research Council | CNR · Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials IPCB

Nanostructured cellulose (NC) represents an emerging sustainable biomaterial for diverse biotechnological applications; however, its production requires hazardous chemicals that render the process ecologically unfriendly. Using commercial plant-derived cellulose, an innovative strategy for NC production based on the combination of mechanical and en...

Graphene-based functional coatings for cotton textiles were realized through an easy dip-coating procedure. Cotton fabrics were coated with a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer and then protected with a very thin polyurethane (PU) layer that does not affect the flexibility and the hand of the pristine cotton. The application of the rGO coating indu...

Microplastics of fibrous shape are esteemed to be the most abundant micro-debris form present in the environment. Despite the occurrence of microfibers in fish may pose a risk to human health, the literature is scarce regarding studies on the contamination in commercial marine fish mostly due to methodological issues. In this study, a versatile app...

Humans are estimated to consume several grams per week of nanoplastics (NPs) through exposure to a variety of contamination sources. Nonetheless, the effects of these polymeric particles on living systems are still mostly unknown. Here, by means of CD, NMR and TEM analyses, we describe at an atomic resolution the interaction of ubiquitin with polys...

Every year, the coffee supply chain produces tons of waste materials from the processing of the coffee bean. Coffee silverskin (CS) is the only waste product from the coffee bean roasting phases but as roasting is a key step in obtaining the coffee beverage, there are tons of CS collected and thrown away by coffee roasting industries. This study is...

In this work, we report on the fabrication and photonic activation of a novel kind of photomobile polymer (PMP) film based mainly on a double layered asymmetric configuration. The PMP is cheap and extremely easy to make. It is made of PVC/isoprene tape with a layer of graphene-oxide (GO) attached. Under illumination at different intensities, and wi...

Microplastic of fibrous shape are esteemed to be the most abundant micro-debris form present in the environment, and considered a ubiquitous microplastic pollution that was recognized as a potential environmental stressor. In this study, a versatile approach to evaluate the occurrence of microfibers is proposed, able to discriminate among natural a...

Due to the large production of plastic packaging, packaging mismanagement represents a significant problem for the environment and the related economic/social contexts. A new route towards sustainable recycling has been identified in the design of the plastic products together with their end-of-life recycling options. Following this approach, in th...

In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) hybridized with an organosilane are grafted with hyper-crosslinked poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC), which is anchored into the mesopores and onto the external surface of MSN. The obtained nanoparticles are characterized by a MSN-templated hierarchical porosity composed of micropores, mesopores a...

Over the last few decades, a large number of pH sensitive materials with new compositions and structures have been proposed. Solid state sensors based on organic, inorganic and composite materials are actively investigated, with an increasing interest in the performance offered by nano-scale materials. Our review provides a thorough, up-to-date kno...

The sustainable management of multilayer paper/plastic waste is a technological challenge due to its composite nature. In this paper, a mechanical recycling approach for multilayer cartons (MC) is reported, illustrating the realization of thermoplastic composites based on recycled polyethylene and an amount of milled MC ranging from 20 to 90 wt%. T...

The power conversion efficiency of the formamidinium tin iodide (FASI) solar cells constantly increases, with the current record power conversion efficiency approaching 15%. The literature reports a broad anomaly distribution of the photoluminescence (PL) peak position. The PL anomaly is particularly relevant to photovoltaic applications since it d...

A new sustainable solution to water and air pollution based on spontaneously adsorbent materials is presented this work. For the first time, high surface area micro/mesoporous hyper-crosslinked resins (XDV) were engineered in hydrogels and aerogels based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and montmorillonite (MMT). Hydrogels and aerogels were obtained...

Microplastics released from textiles during the washing process represent the most prevalent type of microparticles found in different environmental compartments and ecosystems around the world. Release of microfibres during the washing process of synthetic textiles is due to the mechanical and chemical stresses that clothes undergo in washing mach...

Microplastic pollution is a widespread threat for marine fauna. Mussels are good candidates for assessment of microplastic exposure in the environment because of their wide geographical and spatial distribution and their filtration system. In this work the 65% of analysed mussels assessed the presence of microfibres in their tissue, with an amount...

In this paper, a sustainable strategy to valorize and recycle heterogeneous polymer-based post-consumer waste is proposed. This strategy is based on a high-energy mechano-chemical treatment and has been applied to a polyolefin-rich fraction, coded as FIL/S, deriving from household plastic waste collection. This processing, performed in a planetary...

This work aimed at studying the stabilization of O/W Pickering emulsions using nanosized cellulosic material, produced from raw cellulose or tomato pomace through different mechanical treatments, such as ball milling (BM) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH). The cellulose nanofibrils obtained via HPH, which exhibited longer fibers with higher fl...

Sandy beaches represent environmental compartments particularly vulnerable to litter pollution, and they reflect the magnitude of pollution of adjacent compartments: water and coastal areas. The substitution of conventional polymers by biodegradable materials is generally considered as an alternative for reducing environmental accumulation of plast...

New amino-functionalized vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene-based hyper-crosslinked resins (HCLRs) were synthesized with the objective of improving the HCLR polarity and affinity to carbon dioxide and polar dyes. The HCLRs chemical structure and textural properties were investigated and correlated to the adsorption performance of the modified (XDV...

Solid acids are the green alternative for heterogeneous acid catalysis, in particular for industrial processes exploiting biomass. Niobium–phosphorus oxides are valid candidates owing to their specific acidic properties and tolerance to water, on the other hand their synthesis often involves hazardous precursors and complex multistep procedures. We...

Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) is a powerful tool for the sustainable management of landfill sites, aiming at both land reclamation and material recovery/reuse. To enhance the recovery and recycling rate of excavated plastic fractions, in most cases destined to energy recovery, new convenient, effective and sustainable strategies are needed. In th...

Tin-halide perovskites have great potential as photovoltaic materials, but their performance is hampered by undesirable oxidation of Sn(II) to Sn(IV). In this work, we use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to identify and describe the origins of Sn(IV) in Sn-based perovskites, mainly focusing on direct measurements of Sn oxidation state...

The development of new styrene-based hyper-crosslinked nanocomposites (HCLN) containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) is reported here as a new strategy to obtain functional high surface area materials with an enhanced hydrophilic character. The HCLN composition, morphology and porous structure were analyzed using a multi-technique approach...

In this work, a new synthetic route is exploited to functionalize high surface area hyper-crosslinked resins by introducing amino groups into the hyper-crosslinked aromatic structure. The proposed functionalization aims to enhance the adsorption properties of the resin towards aromatic polar compounds, such as textile dyes. The obtained adsorbent w...

The washing processes of synthetic fabrics have been identified as one of the main source of microplastic pollution in marine environment. Novel procedures to evaluate and quantify microplastics released during washings were developed as well as innovative approaches to reduce the microplastic’s release.

In this contribution, a preliminary study on the presence of microplastics in the Sarno River is reported. The complexity of the water samples recovered from the river highlights the necessity to develop an ad hoc analytical protocol to analyse and quantify microplastics in Sarno river.

Different classes of wastes, namely wooden wastes, plastic fractions from automotive shredded residues, and glass fiber reinforced composite wastes obtained from dismantled wind turbines blades were analyzed in view of their possible recycling. Wooden wastes included municipal bulky wastes, construction and demolition wastes, and furniture wastes....

Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and other long chain aliphatic diamines can induce substrate-independent polymer film deposition from dopamine and several other catechols substrates at relatively low concentrations, however the mechanism of the diamine-promoted effect has remained little understood. Herein, we report data indicating that: (a) film depo...

The polar functionalization of vinylbenzyl chloride hyper-crosslinked (HCL) resins with ethanolamine at variable functionalization extent is reported. The functionalization reaction was investigated by a multitechnique approach to confirm the reaction mechanism and to calculate the yield of functionalization. Increasing the amount of ethanolamine g...

The presence of pharmaceuticals, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the aquatic environment represents a worldwide threat. NSAIDs are considered “emerging contaminants” of water since the traditional methods are not designed to efficiently remove them. Aiming to overcome the limits of the conventional wastewater treatment pla...

In the frame of a circular economy, the maximization of secondary raw-material recovery is necessary to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of landfill mining and reclamation activities. In this paper, the polyethylene-rich plastic fraction recovered from the reclamation of an abandoned industrial landfill (landfill-recovered pla...

Nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANI) and two carbon nanostructures-multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene G) were obtained by electrochemical polymerization. PANI based nanocomposites with different concentration of carbon nanostructures (CNS:1, 2 and 3wt%) as well as with different methods for CNS dispersion in the electrolyte, were synt...

Despite extensive investigations over the past decade, the chemical basis of the extraordinary underwater adhesion properties of polydopamine (PDA) has remained not entirely understood. The bulk of evidence points to PDA wet adhesion as a complex process based on film deposition, and growth in which primary amine groups, besides catechol moieties,...

This work is focused on the hydrolysis of cotton fibers from waste textiles to obtain micro and nanofibers to be used as reinforcements in polymer composites. To promote their compatibility with polymeric matrix, hydrolyzed cotton fibers were surface modified with various silane compounds. Thus, these fibers were mixed with commercial poly(lactic a...

Poly(vinyl alcohol) foams, containing different amounts of microfibrillated cellulose, were prepared through an eco-friendly procedure based on high-speed mixing and freeze-drying. The effect of filler amount on cell shape and regularity was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the evolution of the microstructure was assessed through d...

Washing processes of synthetic clothes have been identified as the main source of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems. Textile microfibres have been found in marine sediments and organisms, posing a real threat for the environment. The development of mitigation approaches is strongly needed to prevent the impact of microplastics. In this wo...

The aim of this study was the development of novel polysaccharide based films intended to be used as edible food packaging material. The films were prepared by solution casting method using highly methoxylated pectin (PEC) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of various molecular weights (400, 600 and 1000 gmol⁻¹) in different ratios (5:1, 3:1 and 1:1)....

A simple and eco-friendly procedure of esterification of graphite oxide (GO), which uses acetic anhydride as model reagent and ethyl acetate as green solvent, is reported. The procedure leads to high functionalization degrees (at least up to 4.5 mol% of acetyl groups, referred to graphitic C atoms) and it is much more effective than the literature...

We describe a new synthetic approach for the realization of hyper-cross-linked (HCL) styrene resins, based on the bulk prepolymerization of a gel-type precursor followed by a traditional Friedel–Crafts alkylation step. The obtained HCL materials show comparable properties with respect to the corresponding resins obtained by typical suspension prepo...

In this article, a hydrolyzed EVA copolymer (EVA-h) was chosen as an interfacial agent of PA12/EVA blends. The effect of EVA-h addition (5 and 10 wt% in relation to EVA phase) on morphological, interfacial and mechanical properties of the systems was investigated. The polymer blends were melt processed in an interpenetrating co-rotating twin-screen...

Nanocomposites based on thermoset polycarbonate and fumed silica nanoparticles were prepared by radical in situ polymerization. To avoid nanoparticle agglomeration, silica nanoparticles modified with a vinyl end capped silane agent were also used. The effect of silica particles and silica surface modification on the extent of polymerization and net...

The present work describes the preparation of polypropylene composites reinforced with cotton fibers, which were obtained from textile waste. The cellulosic fibers were bleached and then chemically modified on the surface using acetylation or silanization methods. FTIR analysis and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the efficiency...

The exploitation of easily accessible and non-toxic natural catechol compounds for surface functionalization and coating is attracting growing interest for biomedical applications. We report herein the deposition on different sub-strates of chemically stable thin films by autoxidation of 1 mM caffeic acid (CA) solutions at pH 9 in the presence of e...

New nanocomposite microporous materials obtained by adding functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to styrene/vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene hyper-crosslinked resins were prepared and characterized. In order to promote the embedding of the MWCNT within the gel-type precursor, a suitable surface modification strategy was set up, ba...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The COMMON SENSE project has been designed and planned in order to meet the general and specific scientific and technical objectives mentioned in its Description of Work (page 77). As the overall strategy, the 11 work packages (WPs) of the work plan were grouped into 3 key phases: (1) RD basis for cost-effective sensor developmen...

Nanocomposites based on polyaniline (PANI) and carbon nanostructures (CNSs) (graphene (G) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) were prepared by in situ electrochemical polymerization. CNSs were inserted into the PANI matrix by dispersing them into the electrolyte before the electropolymerization. Electrochemical characterization by means of cyc...

The integration of inorganic nanoparticles into polymer matrices allows for the modification of physical properties as well as the implementation of new features for unexplored application fields. Here, we propose the study of a new metal/polymer nanocomposite fabricated by dispersing pure Ti nanoparticles into a poly(methylmetacrilate) matrix via...

Hyper-crosslinked styrenic resins are tipically prepared by suspension polymerization of a gel-type precursor and successive crosslinking by Friedel-Crafts reaction. This kind of polymers displays high specific surface area and excellent sorption properties. Hyper-crosslinked resins and nanocomposites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)...

Two different examples of compatibilisation strategies used to enhance filler/matrix interfacial adhesion in polymer nanocomposites are discussed. The first strategy was based on the surface modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by a dry mechano-chemical process. The modified nanotubes were used for the realisation of polypropylene/M...

Rational design of nanoparticle/monomer interfaces: a combined computational and experimental study of in situ polymerization of silica based nanocomposites † ‡ Interfaces between methylmethacrylate monomers, oligomers and silica nanoparticles (NPs) were explored by molecular dynamics simulations, infrared and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The COMMON SENSE project has been designed and planned in order to meet the general and specific scientific and technical objectives mentioned in its Description of Work (page 77). In an overall strategy of the work plan, work packages (11) can be grouped into 3 key phases: (1) RD basis for cost-effective sensor development, (2)...

Consolidation and protection are among the most important treatments usually carried out in conservation of stone artifacts and monuments. In this paper, portable unilateral NMR and conventional techniques were used for investigating new multifunctional treatments based on tetraethoxysilane, silica, and polytetrafluoroethylene nanoparticles. The st...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The last decade has seen significant growth in the field of sensor networks, which are currently collecting large amounts of environmental data. This data needs to be collected, processed, stored and made available for analysis and interpretation in a manner which is meaningful and accessible to end users and stakeholders with a r...

Inspired by the powerful photosensitizing properties of the red hair pigments pheomelanins, a photoresponsive cysteine-containing variant of the adhesive biopolymer polydopamine (pDA) is developed via oxidative copolymerization of dopamine (DA) and 5-S-cysteinyldopamine (CDA) in variable ratios. Chemical and spectral analysis indicate the presence...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND STRUCTURE OF THE DELIVERABLE Deliverable 1.4 is aimed at identification of existing and operable observing systems and sensors which are relevant to COMMON SENSE objectives. Report aggregates information on existing observing initiatives, programmes, systems, platforms and sensors. The Report includes: • inventory of previous...