Maria Cecilia Lorenzo

Ms. Maria Cecilia Lorenzo

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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19 January 2021
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
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LRLaura Ribba
Laura Ribba
MLMaria Cecilia Lorenzo
Maria Cecilia Lorenzo
MTMaribel Tupa
Maribel Tupa
MMMariana Melaj
Mariana Melaj
PEPatricia Eisenberg
Patricia Eisenberg
SGSilvia Goyanes
Silvia Goyanes

15 October 2025 in Fibers
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Journal Article
Open access
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Luisa Fernanda Sierra MontesLuisa Fernanda Sierra Montes
Luisa Fernanda Sierra Montes
MLMaria Cecilia Lorenzo
Maria Cecilia Lorenzo
María Alejandra GarciaMaría Alejandra Garcia
María Alejandra Garcia
Andrés Gerardo SalvayAndrés Gerardo Salvay
Andrés Gerardo Salvay
LRLaura Ribba
Laura Ribba
Biodegradable composites obtained by reinforcing thermoplastic starch (TPS) with lignocellulosic fibers show great potential, but their strong sensitivity to water still limits practical applications. Among possible reinforcements, Helianthus tuberosus (topinambur) represents an underutilized agricultural residue that has been scarcely explored in this context. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that topinambur fiber can improve the water vapor barrier properties of cassava starch films, while also providing a detailed analysis of sorption isotherms and the humidity-dependent relationship between surface roughness and contact angle, aspects rarely addressed in previous studies. SEM revealed uniform fiber dispersion and integration. Water sorption kinetics showed that fiber addition reduces both hydration and sorption time constant, indicating lower water affinity and greater water mobility. Water sorption isotherms confirmed that fiber incorporation significantly alters overall hydration and water–matrix interactions, revealing reduced effective water solubility in films. Water vapor permeability also decreased with fiber addition, mainly due to decreased water solubility, rather than changes in water diffusivity. While fiber addition enhanced surface-water repellency across all humidity levels, roughness exhibited a humidity-dependent response FTIR analysis confirmed fiber–matrix compatibility and suggested new hydrogen bonding. Overall, these findings identify topinambur fiber as a novel reinforcement for designing biodegradable films with improved humidity resistance for agroecological applications.

18 December 2025 in ACS Applied Polymer Materials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MLMaria Cecilia Lorenzo
Maria Cecilia Lorenzo
PRPriscila Daiana Reale
Priscila Daiana Reale
JCJosé Ignacio Colonna
José Ignacio Colonna
ALAna Laura Larralde
Ana Laura Larralde
DLDiego German Lamas
Diego German Lamas
PEPatricia Eisenberg
Patricia Eisenberg