Giuseppe Lazzara

Bio: Giuseppe Lazzara is an academic researcher from University of Palermo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Halloysite & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 50, co-authored 202 publications receiving 7044 citations. Previous affiliations of Giuseppe Lazzara include Lund University & University of Bologna.

An assembly of organic-inorganic composites using halloysite clay nanotubes

Abstract: Halloysite is natural tubular clay suitable as a component of biocompatible nanosystems with specific functionalities. The selective modification of halloysite inner/outer surfaces can be achieved by exploiting supramolecular and covalent interactions resulting in controlled colloidal stability adjusted to the solvent polarity. The functionalized halloysite nanotubes can be employed as reinforcing filler for polymers as well as carriers for the sustained release of active molecules, such as antioxidants, flame-retardants, corrosion inhibitors, biocides and drugs. The tubular morphology makes halloysite a perspective template for core-shell metal supports for mesoporous catalysts. The catalysts can be incorporated with selective and unselective metal binding on the nanotubes' outer surface or in the inner lumens. Micropatterns of self-assembled nanotubes have been realized by the droplet casting method. The selective modification of halloysite has been exploited to increase the nanotubes' ordering in the produced patterns. Pickering emulsions, induced by the self-assembly of halloysite nanotubes on oil-water interface, can be used for petroleum spill bioremediation and catalysis.

Effect of Morphology and Size of Halloysite Nanotubes on Functional Pectin Bionanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications.

Abstract: Pectin bionanocomposite films filled with various concentrations of two different types of halloysite nanotubes were prepared and characterized in this study as potential films for food packaging applications. The two types of halloysite nanotubes were long and thin (patch) (200–30 000 nm length) and short and stubby (Matauri Bay) (50–3000 nm length) with different morphological, physical, and dispersibility properties. Both matrix (pectin) and reinforcer (halloysite nanotubes) used in this study are considered as biocompatible, natural, and low-cost materials. Various characterization tests including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, release kinetics, contact angle, and dynamic mechanical analysis were performed to evaluate the performance of the pectin films. Exceptional thermal, tensile, and contact angle properties have been achieved for films reinforced by patch halloysite nanotubes due to the patchy and lengthy nature of these tubes, which form a b...

Covalently modified halloysite clay nanotubes: synthesis, properties, biological and medical applications

Abstract: Halloysite (HNT) is a promising natural nanosized tubular clay mineral that has many important uses in different industrial fields. It is naturally occurring, biocompatible, and available in thousands of tons at low cost. As a consequence of a hollow cavity, HNT is mainly used as nanocontainer for the controlled release of several chemicals. Chemical modification of both surfaces (inner lumen and outer surface) is a strategy to tune the nanotube's properties. Specifically, chemical modification of HNT surfaces generates a nanoarchitecture with targeted affinity through outer surface functionalization and drug transport ability from functionalization of the nanotube lumen. The primary focus of this review is the research of modified halloysite nanotubes and their applications in biological and medical fields.

Rapid removal of organic micropollutants from water by a porous β-cyclodextrin polymer

Abstract: The global occurrence in water resources of organic micropollutants, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, has raised concerns about potential negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Activated carbons are the most widespread adsorbent materials used to remove organic pollutants from water but they have several deficiencies, including slow pollutant uptake (of the order of hours) and poor removal of many relatively hydrophilic micropollutants. Furthermore, regenerating spent activated carbon is energy intensive (requiring heating to 500-900 degrees Celsius) and does not fully restore performance. Insoluble polymers of β-cyclodextrin, an inexpensive, sustainably produced macrocycle of glucose, are likewise of interest for removing micropollutants from water by means of adsorption. β-cyclodextrin is known to encapsulate pollutants to form well-defined host-guest complexes, but until now cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers have had low surface areas and poor removal performance compared to conventional activated carbons. Here we crosslink β-cyclodextrin with rigid aromatic groups, providing a high-surface-area, mesoporous polymer of β-cyclodextrin. It rapidly sequesters a variety of organic micropollutants with adsorption rate constants 15 to 200 times greater than those of activated carbons and non-porous β-cyclodextrin adsorbent materials. In addition, the polymer can be regenerated several times using a mild washing procedure with no loss in performance. Finally, the polymer outperformed a leading activated carbon for the rapid removal of a complex mixture of organic micropollutants at environmentally relevant concentrations. These findings demonstrate the promise of porous cyclodextrin-based polymers for rapid, flow-through water treatment.