Raffaella Aversa

Prof. Raffaella Aversa


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 December 2023 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Laura RicciottiLaura Ricciotti
Laura Ricciotti
Antonio ApicellaAntonio Apicella
Antonio Apicella
VPValeria Perrotta
Valeria Perrotta
Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
This paper examines how extrusion-based 3D-printing technology is evolving, utilising geopolymers (GPs) as sustainable inorganic aluminosilicate materials. Particularly, the current state of 3D-printing geopolymers is critically examined in this study from the perspectives of the production process, printability need, mix design, early-age material features, and sustainability, with an emphasis on the effects of various elements including the examination of the fresh and hardened properties of 3D-printed geopolymers, depending on the matrix composition, reinforcement type, curing process, and printing configuration. The differences and potential of two-part and one-part geopolymers are also analysed. The applications of advanced printable geopolymer materials and products are highlighted, along with some specific examples. The primary issues, outlooks, and paths for future efforts necessary to advance this technology are identified.

22 February 2023 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Laura RicciottiLaura Ricciotti
Laura Ricciotti
Antonio ApicellaAntonio Apicella
Antonio Apicella
VPValeria Perrotta
Valeria Perrotta
Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
With progress in the bone tissue engineering (BTE) field, there is an important need to develop innovative biomaterials to improve the bone healing process using reproducible, affordable, and low-environmental-impact alternative synthetic strategies. This review thoroughly examines geopolymers’ state-of-the-art and current applications and their future perspectives for bone tissue applications. This paper aims to analyse the potential of geopolymer materials in biomedical applications by reviewing the recent literature. Moreover, the characteristics of materials traditionally used as bioscaffolds are also compared, critically analysing the strengths and weaknesses of their use. The concerns that prevented the widespread use of alkali-activated materials as biomaterials (such as their toxicity and limited osteoconductivity) and the potentialities of geopolymers as ceramic biomaterials have also been considered. In particular, the possibility of targeting their mechanical properties and morphologies through their chemical compositions to meet specific and relevant requirements, such as biocompatibility and controlled porosity, is described. A statistical analysis of the published scientific literature is presented. Data on “geopolymers for biomedical applications” were extracted from the Scopus database. This paper focuses on possible strategies necessary to overcome the barriers that have limited their application in biomedicine. Specifically, innovative hybrid geopolymer-based formulations (alkali-activated mixtures for additive manufacturing) and their composites that optimise the porous morphology of bioscaffolds while minimising their toxicity for BTE are discussed.

19 August 2025 in Sustainability
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Journal Article
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Laura RicciottiLaura Ricciotti
Laura Ricciotti
CFCaterina Frettoloso
Caterina Frettoloso
RFRossella Franchino
Rossella Franchino
NPNICOLA PISACANE
NICOLA PISACANE
Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
The development of innovative and environmentally sustainable construction materials is a strategic priority in the context of the ecological transition and circular economy. Geopolymers and alkali-activated materials, derived from industrial and construction waste rich in aluminosilicates, are gaining increasing attention as low-carbon alternatives to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which remains one of the main contributors to anthropogenic CO2 emissions and landfill-bound construction waste. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of geopolymer-based solutions for building and architectural applications, with a particular focus on modular multilayer panels. Key aspects, such as chemical formulation, mechanical and thermal performance, durability, technological compatibility, and architectural flexibility, are critically examined. The discussion integrates considerations of disassemblability, reusability, and end-of-life scenarios, adopting a life cycle perspective to assess the circular potential of geopolymer building systems. Advanced fabrication strategies, including 3D printing and fibre reinforcement, are evaluated for their contribution to performance enhancement and material customisation. In parallel, the use of parametric modelling and digital tools such as building information modelling (BIM) coupled with life cycle assessment (LCA) enables holistic performance monitoring and optimisation throughout the design and construction process. The review also explores the emerging application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for predictive mix design and material property forecasting, identifying key trends and limitations in current research. Representative quantitative indicators demonstrate the performance and environmental potential of geopolymer systems: compressive strengths typically range from 30 to 80 MPa, with thermal conductivity values as low as 0.08–0.18 W/m·K for insulating panels. Life cycle assessments report 40–60% reductions in CO2 emissions compared with OPC-based systems, underscoring their contribution to climate-neutral construction. Although significant progress has been made, challenges remain in terms of long-term durability, standardisation, data availability, and regulatory acceptance. Future perspectives are outlined, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, digital integration, and performance-based codes to support the full deployment of geopolymer technologies in sustainable building and architecture.

21 December 2017 in Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
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Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
RPRelly Victoria Petrescu
Relly Victoria Petrescu
Antonio ApicellaAntonio Apicella
Antonio Apicella
Florian Ion Tiberiu PetrescuFlorian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu
Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu
Modern Transportation and Photovoltaic Energy for Urban Ecotourism

18 June 2021 in Applied Sciences
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Journal Article
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LWLu Wang
Lu Wang
Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
ZHZhengjun Houa
Zhengjun Houa
JTJie Tian
Jie Tian
SLShuang Liang
Shuang Liang
GWGuixue Wang
Guixue Wang
Magnesium and its alloys are not normally used as bioresorbable temporary implants due to their high and uncontrolled degradation rate in a physiological liquid environment. The improvement of corrosion resistance to simulated body fluids (SBF) of a magnesium alloy (AZ31) coated with poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and contact angle measurements were used to characterize surface morphology, material composition, and wettability, respectively. pH modification of the SBF corroding medium, mass of Mg2+ ions released, weight loss of the samples exposed to the SBF solution, and electrochemical experiments were used to describe the corrosion process and its kinetics. The material’s biocompatibility was described by evaluating the effect of corrosion by products collected in the SBF equilibrating solution on hemolysis ratio, cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). The results showed that the PHB coating can diffusively control the degradation rate of magnesium alloy, improving its biocompatibility: the hemolysis rate of materials was lower than 5%, while in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) compatibility experiments showed that PHB-coated Mg alloy promoted cell proliferation and had no effect on the NO content and that the T-AOC was enhanced compared with the normal group and bare AZ31 alloy. PHB-coated AZ31 magnesium alloy extraction fluids have a less toxic behavior due to the lower concentration of corrosion byproducts deriving from the diffusion control exerted by the PHB coating films both from the metal surface to the solution and vice versa. These findings provide more reference value for the selection of such systems as tunable bioresorbable prosthetic materials.

31 January 2024 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
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Giuseppe CiaburroGiuseppe Ciaburro
Giuseppe Ciaburro
Gino IannaceGino Iannace
Gino Iannace
Laura RicciottiLaura Ricciotti
Laura Ricciotti
Antonio ApicellaAntonio Apicella
Antonio Apicella
VPValeria Perrotta
Valeria Perrotta
Raffaella AversaRaffaella Aversa
Raffaella Aversa
The paper compares and evaluates the influence of the presence of perforations on the sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of a negative stiffness metamaterial based on a foamed ceramic geopolymer. Chemical–physical, microstructural, dynamic–mechanical, and sound characterisations are presented. A rigid, lightweight geopolymeric porous material has been prepared using an inorganic/organic monomeric mixture containing oligomeric sialates and siloxanes foamed with aluminium powder. This process results in an amorphous rigid light foam with an apparent 180 Kg/m3 density and a 78% open-pore. The viscoelastic characterisation by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) carried out from 10−3 to 103 Hz indicates the behaviour of a mechanical metamaterial with negative stiffness enabling ultrahigh energy absorption at straining frequencies from 300 to 1000 Hz. The material loss factor (the ratio of dissipative/elastic shear moduli) is about 0.03 (essentially elastic behaviour) for frequencies up to 200 Hz to suddenly increase up to a value of six at 1000 Hz (highly dissipative behaviour). The corresponding storage and loss moduli were 8.2 MPa and 20 MPa, respectively. Impedance tube acoustic absorption measurements on perforated and unperforated specimens highlighted the role of perforation-resonant cavities in enhancing sound absorption efficiency, particularly within the specified frequency band where the mass of the negative stiffness foamed geopolymer matrix magnifies the dissipation effect. In the limits of a still exploratory and comparative study, we aimed to verify the technological transfer potentiality of using architected metamaterials in sustainable building practices.