Degree in Chemical Engineering, PhD in Materials' Science and Technology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cultural Heritage, Building Materials, Suistainable building materials
59
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Author Correction: Evaluation of agar spray for the development of a green surfactant-free rigid emulsions (npj Heritage Science, (2025), 13, 1, (517), 10.1038/s40494-025-01869-7) Ambra Giordano, Giulia D’Agostino, Bartolomeo Megna, Giuseppe Lazzara, Clelia Isca Npj Heritage Science, 2026 In the original version of this article, there was a typographical error in the Introduction section describing the physicochemical properties of DBE.The text originally read: DBE is the acronym for Di-Basic Esters, a family of solvents obtained from the methylation of acids produced by fruit fermentation.It is a mixture of 1,4-dimethylsuccinate, 1,5-dimethylglutarate, 1,6 Dimethyladipate, it is classified VOC-free, completely biodegradable and is obtained at 55% from renewable sources, immiscible with water, with a low boiling point and compatible with the pH of conservation materials.This has been corrected to: DBE is the acronym for Di-Basic Esters, a family of solvents obtained from the methylation of acids produced by fruit fermentation.It is a mixture of 1,4-dimethylsuccinate, 1,5-dimethylglutarate, 1,6 Dimethyladipate, it is classified VOC-free, completely biodegradable and is obtained at 55% from renewable sources, immiscible with water, with a high boiling point and compatible with the pH of conservation materials.
Ceramics in the Circular Economy for a Sustainable World Pardeep Kumar Gianchandani, Enrico Fabrizio, Bartolomeo Megna, Manuela Ceraulo, Francesco Baino Ceramics, 2025 The transition toward a circular economy is one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our time, requiring fundamental shifts in how we produce, consume, and manage materials [...]
Evaluation of agar spray for the development of a green surfactant-free rigid emulsions Ambra Giordano, Giulia D’Agostino, Bartolomeo Megna, Giuseppe Lazzara, Clelia Isca Npj Heritage Science, 2025 This study addresses growing environmental and health concerns in conservation-restoration by exploring a sustainable method for varnish removal. It investigates the use of nebulized Agar hydrocolloid to formulate surfactant-free oil-in-water emulsions, even with green solvents like dibasic ester (DBE), which are difficult to mix with water. Agar gel loaded with DBE was nebulized to produce rigid, surfactant-free agar spray emulsions (ASE) for varnish removal. The study evaluated jet properties, emulsion stability, varnish removal efficiency, and possible adverse effects, comparing the nebulized method with traditional high-speed mixing techniques. Results showed nebulization affected droplet size distribution and improved emulsion stability. The green spray emulsion effectively removed dammar varnish from an oil painting without visible degradation, as shown by microscopic observations, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analyses. This biodegradable, non-toxic, surfactant-free emulsion offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and promising alternative for modern conservation practices.
Hybrid Nanocomposite Mini-Tablet to Be Applied into the Post-Extraction Socket: Matching the Potentialities of Resveratrol-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles and Hydroxyapatite to Promote Alveolar Wound Healing Viviana De Caro, Giada Tranchida, Cecilia La Mantia, Bartolomeo Megna, Giuseppe Angellotti, Giulia Di Prima Pharmaceutics, 2025 Background/Objectives: Following tooth extraction, resveratrol (RSV) can support healing by reducing inflammation and microbial risks, though its poor solubility limits its effectiveness. This study aims to develop a solid nanocomposite by embedding RSV in lipid nanoparticles (mLNP) within a hydrophilic matrix, to the scope of improving local delivery and enhancing healing. Hydroxyapatite (HXA), often used as a bone substitute, was added to prevent post-extraction alveolus volume reduction. Methods: The mLNP-RSV dispersion was mixed with seven different polymers in various mLNP/polymer ratios. Following freeze-drying, the powders were redispersed, and the resulting dispersions were tested by DLS experiments. Then, the best two nanocomposites underwent extensive characterization by SEM, XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal analysis as well as in vitro partitioning studies aimed at verifying their ability to yield the mLNP-RSV from the hydrophilic matrix to a lipophilic tissue. The characterizations led to identify the best nanocomposite, which was further combined with HXA to obtain hybrid nanocomposites, further evaluated as pharmaceutical powders or in form of mini-tablets. Results: PEG-based nanocomposites emerged as optimal and, following HXA insertion, the resulting powders revealed adequate bulk properties, making them useful as a pharmaceutical intermediate to produce ≈59 mm3 mini-tablets, compliant with the post-extraction socket. Moreover, they were proven ex vivo to be able to promote RSV and GA accumulation into the buccal tissue over time. Conclusions: The here-proposed mini-tablet offers an innovative therapeutic approach for alveolar wound healing promotion as they led to a standardized dose administration, while being handy and stable in terms of physical solid identity as long as it takes to suture the wound.
On the Growth of SrMoO3Films for UV-C LEDs Applications: Deposition Issues and Solutions Nitin Kamble, Rosalinda Inguanta, Bartolomeo Megna, Isodiana Crupi, Roberto Macaluso, Mauro Mosca 2025 10th Optoelectronics Global Conference Ogc 2025, 2025 SrMoO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf> (SMO) thin films offer exceptional UV transparency and metallic conductivity, making them ideal transparent electrodes for UV-C LEDs. However, their deposition is challenged by thermodynamic instability, where trace oxygen triggers oxidation to insulating <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{SrMoO}_{4}$</tex>. This study employs pulsed laser deposition (PLD) under either high vacuum or oxygen, or argon atmosphere, to grow epitaxial SMO on latticematched (001) LSAT and (110) <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{GdScO}_{3}$</tex> substrates. Structural and electrical characterization reveals that oxygen pressures induce <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{SrMoO}_{4}$</tex> formation, increasing sheet resistance. Critically, postdeposition vacuum annealing at <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$8^{\circ} \mathbf{8 5}^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$</tex> decomposes <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{SrMoO}_{4}$</tex> inclusions, reducing resistance by three orders of magnitude. These results establish oxygen suppression during growth and corrective annealing as essential strategies for realizing highconductivity SMO electrodes in UV-C optoelectronics.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SALT-FOG EXPOSURE ON THE PERFORMANCE AND RECYCLABILITY OF BIO-BASED EPOXY COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH NATURAL FIBRES Iccm International Conferences on Composite Materials, 2025
Effect of sodium bicarbonate treatment on the properties of sisal fibers and their geopolymer composites C. Sanfilippo, V. Fiore, L. Calabrese, B. Megna, A. Valenza Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2024 Eco-friendly and cheap treatments based on the use of mildly alkaline solutions have been recently investigated to modify natural fibers, altering their surface and improving their compatibility mainly with polymer matrices. A challenge for the researchers is nowadays represented by the assessment of this kind of treatments as a viable approach also for geopolymer based composites. In such a context, this study presents a novel and sustainable approach for enhancing sisal fibers for geopolymer composites using a sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) treatment. While the treatment offers a greener alternative to conventional methods, its key advantage lies in achieving a balance between fiber properties. Although it slightly reduces raw fiber strength, the NaHCO3 treatment effectively removes impurities, promoting improved crystallinity and, more importantly, significantly enhances fiber surface roughness and homogeneity. This tailored surface modification fosters superior interfacial bonding with the geopolymer matrix, resulting in composites with significantly enhanced flexural toughness (82 %) – a critical property for construction materials – compared to those reinforced with untreated fibers. Flexural strength is also improved by (53 %). This work not only demonstrates the effectiveness of NaHCO3 treatment but also highlights its potential for developing high-performing, eco-friendly construction materials. A comprehensive evaluation, including three-point bending tests to assess toughness, validates this promising approach.
Biodeterioration of the wooden roof of the Phnom Penh National Museum Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage, 2015
Characterization of serpottas' stuccos by means of simultaneous thermal analysis: Preliminary results International Journal of Conservation Science, 2015
