We evaluated the toxicity of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. The GNPs resulted nontoxic by measuring longevity as well as reproductive capability end points. An imaging technique based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) mapping was also developed to analyze the GNPs spatial distribution inside the nematodes. Conflicting reports on the in vitro antimicrobial properties of graphene-based nanomaterials prompted us to challenge the host-pathogen system C. elegans-Pseudomonas aeruginosa to assess these findings through an in vivo model.

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ZnO micro and nanorods, produced through simple and inexpensive techniques, resulted to be strong antimicrobials against Gram-positive bacteria, in vitro as well as in vivo, by altering cell outer structures like membrane and exopolysaccharides.

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This work is focused on the assessment of the effect of oxygen and polymer plasma tetravinylsilane (pp-TVS) treatments on the adhesion of flax yarns with epoxy and vinylester thermoset matrices. These low temperature plasma processes have been selected as more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical treatments. Tensile tests performed on single flax yarns revealed a reduction in their mechanical properties after plasma treatments. In particular, a tensile strength reduction of 36.4% was detected after the oxygen plasma treatment using 100W of plasma power. The morphological analysis highlighted that this result is mainly ascribed to the ablation action produced by oxygen plasma process. In the case of pp-TVS, both morphological and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR) confirmed the presence of a homogeneous tetravinylsilane film on the surface of the yarns. The interfacial adhesion of untreated, oxygen plasma treated, and plasma-polymer coated flax yarns has been determined by single fibre fragmentation test (SFFT). The plasma polymer deposition can produce a significant improvement of the adhesion property of flax yarns with both epoxy and vinylester matrices. An increase of the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) values of 114% and 71% was found after the TVS film deposition in epoxy and vinylester composites, respectively. These results were confirmed by high-resolution micro-CT, photoelasticity analysis and FE-SEM observations.

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This paper reports on a study carried out on patinas covering copper-based Greek and Roman coins found in the archaeological excavation of Regio VIII.7.1-15 in Pompeii (Italy). Since in cultural heritage ancient artefacts should not be damaged, non-destructive and micro-destructive techniques have been used to identify typical and uncommon compounds and to characterize the surface morphology. The chlorine content of light green patinas and the presence of typical minerals allowed us to identify the bronze disease. Coins from the same stratigraphic unit have shown different morphologies of corrosion, probably due to different micro-environmental conditions