Stefano Bellucci

INFN - Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare | INFN · Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati LNF

Exploring doping elements can enhance the efficiency of photocatalysis and allow for tailored materials for specific applications. This study developed thin copper layers, both pure and doped with various percentages of Al (5, 15, 25, and 50 wt.%), on a glass substrate using the sol-gel spin coating technique. These layers were investigated for the...

Natural glauconite, as a mixed-layered clay mineral, was subjected to exfoliation processes, producing silicate monolayers or individual sheets that were further modified with methanol into methoxy exfoliated glauconite (Mth/EXG). The structure was assessed as an enhanced adsorbent for three types of common water contaminants, including phosphate (...

This study undertakes a comparative analysis of Schottky diodes using three prominent SiC polytypes (3C, 4H, and 6H). The comparison involves meticulous calculations of the Schottky barrier resulting from the metal/SiC interface for each polytype assessed in both practical and theoretical scenarios. Specifically, the barrier height (ΦB) is systemat...

In the presented work, graphene oxide (GO) was obtained as a plate using the Hummer technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) show the formation of pristine GO. Composite materials were prepared by adding different percentages of GO to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (2%GO/PVA, 3% GO/PVA, and 20% GO/PVA). To determine the ef...

In this study, we demonstrate the reflectance spectrum of one-dimensional photonic crystals comprising two different types of metamaterials. In this regard, the designed structure can act as a simple and efficient detector for fat concentrations in milk samples. Here, the hyperbolic and gyroidal metamaterials represent the two types of metamaterial...

In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive theoretical study to obtain an optimal highly sensitive fluidic sensor based on the one-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC). The mainstay of this study strongly depends on the high impedance mismatching due to the irregularity of the considered quasi-periodic structure, which in turn can provide better per...

Pathogen-induced infections and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), pose significant global health challenges, emphasizing the need for new antimicrobial strategies. In this study, we synthesized graphene oxide (GO)-based composites functionalized with silver nanoparti...

This work concerns an attempt to develop a superalloy similar to Udimet 720, based on Ni-Co-Cr + additions (Mo, W, Ti, Al, and C), thanks to the combustion of aluminothermic mixtures composed of oxides and aluminum. The reduction reactions of the NiO-Co3O4-Cr2O3 mixture by aluminum are initiated using an electric arc. The thermal explosion produced...

Introduction The groundwater in arid countries such as Egypt represent the main water resources in the desert regions due to the long distance between these regions (oasis) and Nile River. Contamination of these limited water resources with toxic metals threaten the health of individuals in these regions. Methods The current study integrates isoto...

The present study used the adult earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides as a bioindicator species to look into the possible dangers of ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer. Two complementary toxicity tests were conducted to determine the LC50values, growth rate inhibition, morphological alterations, and histopathological texture of worms. The lethality tes...

Morphophysiological and Histopathological Effects of Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer on Aporrectodea trapezoides (Dugès, 1828) Earthworm

Chitosan, a naturally occurring biopolymer derived from chitin, has emerged as a highly promising instrument for the production and application of metal nanoparticles. The present review delves into the several functions of chitosan in the development and operation of metal na-noparticles, emphasizing its aptitudes as a green reducing agent, shape-...

Zinc-phosphate/hydroxyapatite hybrid form (ZP/HP) in core-shell nanostructure was developed and functionalized with both chitosan (CS@ZP/HP) and β-cyclodextrin (CD@ZP/HP) as bio-composite of enhanced physicochemical and biological properties. These structures were assessed as potential deliveries of 5-fluorouracil, exhibiting enhanced loading, rele...

Herein, we introduce a simple precipitation method for preparing graphene oxide–silver nanoparticle (GO/AgNP) composites, utilizing Calendula officinalis (C. officinalis) seed extract as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. Our research combines the sustainable preparation of graphene oxide (GO) with the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (A...

A new type of Ag2S-CdS/Ag/GNP nanocomposite material was successfully synthesized in the presented work. The structural and physical properties of compounds were studied separately and together. Ag2S-CdS/Ag/GNP nanocomposite materials were studied by Xray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman spec...

Assessing and predicting quality of groundwater is crucial in managing groundwater availability effectively. In the current study, groundwater quality was thoroughly appraised using various indexing methods, including the drinking water quality index (DWQI), pollution index of heavy metals (HPI), pollution index (PI), metal index (MI), degree of co...

Turbinaria ornata marine macro-algae (TUN) have been applied as carriers for the metallic zinc/ZnO blended nanoparticles, which were synthesized by implementing the extracted phytochemicals of the algae. The resulting hybrid bio-composite (Zn@ZnO/TUN) was characterized as a potential product of promising antioxidant and antidiabetic characteristics...

Graphene-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for the highly sensitive and accurate detection of biomolecules. This study presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis of graphene-based SPR biosensors, focusing on configurations with single and bimetallic metallic layers. In this study, we investig...

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of ZnO/TiO₂ and Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ bi-oxide nanocomposites at low frequencies (60 kHz) with their characterizations and antibacterial/antifungal applications are investigated in this study. Using nan-otechnology as the next-generation solution, this research explored the potential of metal oxide nanoparticles as effective anti...

The Pan-African orogeny (800-570 Ma) is thought to have been the last event to affect this vast Hog-gar region, while the post-collisional phase of the Pan-African chain (650-570 Ma) continued until (520 Ma) and saw the emplacement of numerous granitic plutons known as "Taourirt" for their potential sources of rare metals. In the central Hoggar, th...

This work explores the transformative role of graphene in enhancing the performance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors. The motivation for this review stems from the growing interest in the unique properties of graphene, such as high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and versatile functionalization capabilities, whic...

In recent decades, extractive industries such as mining and quarrying have contributed to increasing environmental deterioration, particularly airborne emissions. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the environmental impacts of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) emitted during the exploitation operations of aggregates in the Heliopolis quarry in G...

The evolution of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) has significantly benefited from advancements in graphene-based materials, particularly graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). This systematic review consolidates and analyzes existing research on the roles of GO and rGO in enhancing the performance of EDLCs, focusing on synth...

Objective This systematic review aims to synthesize current knowledge on integrating immersive technologies, namely Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education, and to lighten their impact on student performance and engagement. Methods Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a detailed...

Algeria is a country with a highly varied structural and geological context, which has given rise to a wealth of diversified mineral resources (phosphates, base metals, precious metals, etc.). Mining activities have generated a significant volume of economically valueless mining waste. These waste materials can pose environmental risks depending on...

Chitosan, a biopolymer acquired from chitin, has emerged as a versatile and favorable material in the domain of tissue engineering and wound healing. Its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial characteristics make it a suitable candidate for these applications. In tissue engineering, chitosan-based formulations have garnered substant...

The success of industrial operations depends on the effective identification, appraisal, and mitigation of possible hazards and associated environmental concerns. This report provides a complete review of environmental management techniques at the Sukari Gold Mine (SGM), located in the southeastern desert of Egypt. Extensive environmental measureme...

This study aims to examine the effects of milling time on the morphological, structural, and magnetic properties of nanostructured Ni50Ti50 powders prepared by high-energy mechanical alloying using a Fritsch Pulverisette 7 planetary ball mill. Scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, results revealed a novel particle...

The hunt for active components creates new opportunities to modify photocatalysis materials that we use on a daily basis to cleanse water from pollutants that pose a threat to human life and living organisms. The current study focuses on studying the structural, morphological, optical, electrical, and photocatalytic features of copper oxide (CuO)....

The in situ study of fractal microstructure in nanocarbon polymers is an actual task for their application and for the improvement in their functional properties. This article presents a visualization of the bulk structural features of the composites using pulsed acoustic microscopy and synchrotron X-ray microtomography. This article presents detai...

Nanostructured materials containing nickel improve the effectiveness of several applications. This study examines the preparation and characterization of nanostructured Ni80Co17Mo3 alloy powders using high-energy mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing. A 72 h milling process used pure elemental powders to synthesise nanocrystalline FCC-NiCo(M...

Currently, the processing of beige and black phosphates only concerns the main sub-layers, while the other sub-layers (lower and upper for beige phosphate and the upper for black phosphate) are considered waste rock and stored near the complex. Therefore, the object of this research is the use of mixtures of three beige phosphate sub-layers and two...

In this study, it was aimed to improve the dielectric properties of ZnO nanoparticles with the addition of hBN, which was not previously available in the literature, and thus to expand their usage areas. Sol–gel synthesis method was used in this study to create pure and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. Zinc acetat...

Supercapacitors (SCs) have emerged as attractive energy storage devices due to their rapid charge/discharge rates, long cycle life, and high-power density. However, the development of innovative electrode materials to achieve high-performance remains crucial to meet future requirements in supercapacitor technology. In this work, we have explored th...

The object of the research is the intriguing and versatile material known as coal that attracted a lot of attention lately because of its potential use in a variety of fields, including cutting-edge building materials, environmental remediation methods, and creative energy storage solutions. This study presents an extensive characterization of Alge...

Enhancing nanoparticles’ anti-cancer capabilities as drug carriers requires the careful adjustment of formulation parameters, including loading efficiency, drug/carrier ratio, and synthesis method. Small adjustments to these parameters can significantly influence the drug-loading efficiency of nanoparticles. Our study explored how chitosan and poly...

The establishment of a new metallurgical complex in Bellara, located in El-Milia in the Jijel region, is geographically advantageous due to its proximity to the Sidi Maarouf deposit (Algeria). This proximity has been a fundamental motivation for the completion of the current study. The object of research is the quality of iron products from Sidi Ma...

Environmental organo bentonite synthesis using curcumin-derived chemicals is used as catalyst support for zinc with a Zn-pillaring structure (Zn@CU/BEN). The obtained composite was assessed as an affordable, highly effective, and multifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxidation of ibuprofen (IBU) residuals in water supplies. The Zn@CU/BEN compo...

The quest for novel materials with extraordinary electronic and plasmonic properties is an ongoing pursuit in the field of materials science. The dataset provides the results of a computational study that used ab initio and semi-analytical computations to model freestanding nanosystems. We delve into the world of ribbon-like materials, specifically...

Technology and our conceptions of reality have both been significantly impacted by modern physics. However, due to a variety of issues, such as disparities in educational resources, differing emphasis on science education, cultural attitudes, and language obstacles, students in Latin America, including Ecuador, have a limited understanding of moder...

Laminarin, a complicated polysaccharide originating from brown algae, has emerged as a compelling candidate in the domain of biomedical research. This enigmatic molecule, composed of glucose units associated with both β-1,3 and β-1,6 glycosidic bonds, possesses an array of remarkable characteristics that render it auspicious for multifaceted biomed...

This comprehensive study delves into the degradation of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) in solar panels under arid, desert conditions. Employing techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), we observed a marked increase in crystallization within EVA layers, with rates...

In recent years, the petroleum industry has prioritized the exploration of new and unconventional petroleum reservoirs. As a result, this study assessed the significance of basaltic intrusions from two key aspects: their impact on the thermal maturity of pre-rift source rocks and their potentiality as reservoirs. The present study attempts to integ...

To fill the knowledge gaps in literature, the present study aimed to (1) determine the median lethal concentrations (CL50) of AS fertilizer. (2) Examine the ecotoxicological sublethal effects of this fertilizer on the endogeic earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides44 endpoints such as growth rate inhibition, morphological deterioration, and histopathol...

A comparative study of SchottkThis study undertakes a comparative analysis of Schottky diodes using three prominent SiC polytypes (3C, 4H, and 6H). The comparison involves meticulous calculations of the Schottky barrier resulting from the metal/SiC interface for each polytype assessed in both practical and theoretical scenarios. Specifically, the b...

W ostatnich latach świat był świadkiem poważnych zaburzeń równowagi ekologicznej z powodu katastrofalnej sytuacji i szkód wyrządzonychśrodowisku. Działalność człowieka, taka jak usuwanie odpadów, cementownie, hutnictwo, przemysł chemiczny itp. sągłównymi przyczynami zanieczyszczenia. Zanieczyszczenie powietrza bezpośrednio wpływa na standardy życia...

The development of efficient energy storage systems is critical in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions. In this context, the present work investigates the viability of using orange juice, as a promising and sustainable precursor, for the synthesis of activated carbon electrodes for supercapacitor technologies. Through the carbonizat...

We analyse the data reported in the literature about the time-variation of the 14.4 keV Fe-57 line induced by the emission of Co-57. An anomalous decay of Co-57 was deduced in the presence of ultrasound sonication. Here we study this behaviour in the framework of the Deformed Space-Time (DST) theory and deduce that only a fraction of the ultrasound...

Algeria has important phosphate reserves (2 billion tons) located in the east of the country at Djebel Onk. This mining district, located in the northwestern part of the Algerian Sahara near the Algerian-Tunisian border, is composed of five sectors: Kef Essennoun, Djemi Djema, Bled El Hadba, Djebel Onk North and Oued Betita. Kef Essennoun and Bled...

The synthesis of graphene-based materials for drug delivery represents an area of active research, and the use of graphene in drug delivery systems is promising due to its unique properties. Thus, in the present work, we discuss the potential of few-layer graphene in a hydrogel system for dopamine release. The hydrogels are frequently used for thes...

(1) Background: DA-Gelucire® 50/13-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) administering the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and the antioxidant grape-seed-derived proanthocyanidins (grape seed extract, GSE) have been prepared by us in view of a possible application for Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment. To develop powders constituted by such SLNs f...

Purpose. The selection of an appropriate variographic model is crucial in geostatistics to obtain accurate estimates of mineral reserves. The aim of this work is to develop a reserve estimation tool using a geostatistical approach. Methodology. The geostatistical approach is based on selecting the most representative variographic models for the stu...

The iron deposits of Ouenza and Boukhadra represent one of the main sources of iron ore supply for the Algerian steel industry. Being a fundamental wealth available to Algeria, the exploitation of iron ores and its use causes strong negative consequences on the environment, mainly by the expansion of dust, which will be a source of environmental de...

We investigate the properties of the fermionic Fulling-Rindler vacuum for a massive Dirac field in a general number of spatial dimensions. As important local characteristics, the fermionic condensate and the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor are evaluated. The renormalization is reduced to the subtraction of the corresponding expectat...