The encapsulation and delivery of drugs often involves the use of expensive microporous materials, and we have investigated the potential for natural zeolites from the widespread volcanic formations of southern Italy as alternatives to these carriers. Surface-modified natural zeolites (SMNZs) with diverse micellar structures (patchy and complete bilayers) were obtained by using different cationic surfactants [cetylpyridinium chloride (CP-Cl), benzalkonium chloride (BC-Cl), hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (HDTMA-Cl), and bromide (HDTMA-Br) with phillipsite-rich tuff from the Campania region (southern Italy)]. Loading and release kinetics tests of sodium ibuprofen (IBU) were carried out with organo-phillipsite composites using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis coupled with evolved gas analysis (EGA). Results from these tests were mathematically modeled to evaluate IBU adsorption and release mechanisms. The maximum loaded amount of IBU was attained for organo-phillipsite modified with HDTMABr (PHB), which showed a complete bilayer micellar structure. Whenever a patchy bilayer micellar structure formed, the lowest adsorptions of IBU were observed. Equilibrium adsorption results were fit using Langmuir, Sips, and Toth models. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order fits to the loading kinetic data provided significant goodness of fit. Good fits to the release kinetic data were obtained using first-order and Weibull equations, shedding new light on the release mechanism of IBU from phillipsite. The active amount of IBU on the modified zeolite surface was almost totally available for pharmaceutical purposes.

Situated on the left bank of the Sabato river, the city of Abellinum (Campania region, southern Italy) represents a tangible testimony to the influence of the Roman civilization in Irpinia. At the site, where the remains of the public area of the town are preserved, archaeological excavations unearthed a monumental Pompeian domus, likely owned by Marcus Vipsanius Primigenius, a freedman of Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus. The rooms preserved fine wall paintings of 3rd and 4th Pompeian style, reflecting the social status of the owner. From four rooms overlooking the peristyle, eight specimens of decorated plasters were collected, and petrographic and spectroscopic analyses were carried out to investigate the plastering and painting technology. Thin sections of all plasters depicted a multilayer technology, although differences in mix designs of the supports were highlighted. Some samples are pozzolanic plasters, containing volcanic aggregate, others can be classified as cocciopesto because of the presence of ceramic fragments mixed to the volcanic aggregate. Finally, the presence of marble powder also permitted the identification of marmorino. Moreover, the pigments, applied using a fresco or lime-painting techniques, consist of pure or mixed Fe- and Cu-based pigments to obtain yellow, orange, red, pink, and blue decorations.