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Dr. Pietro Calandra
DSCTM, National Council of Research, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 7, 00185 Rome, Italy

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Short Biography

Pietro Calandra is a chemist, a physicist, and has developed skills in molecular self-assembly and in complex systems. His activity is characterized by combined experimental and theoretical approaches for the study of colloids and fluids. He is also involved in science popularization, being an active participant in several radio and TV programs.

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Commentary
Published: 19 June 2021 in Applied Sciences
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Ionic liquids (ILs) are liquid materials at room temperature with an ionic intrinsic nature. The electrostatic interactions therefore play a pivotal role in dictating their inner structure, which is then expected to be far from the traditional pattern of classical simple liquids. Therefore, the strength of such interactions and their long-range effects are responsible for the ionic liquid high viscosity, a fact that itself suggests their possible use as lubricants. More interestingly, the possibility to establish a wide scenario of possible interactions with solid surfaces constitutes a specific added value in this use. In this framework, the ionic liquid complex molecular structure and the huge variety of possible interactions cause a complex aggregation pattern which can depend on the presence of the solid surface itself. Although there is plenty of literature focusing on the lubricant properties of ionic liquids and their applications, the aim of this contribution is, instead, to furnish to the reader a panoramic view of this exciting problematic, commenting on interesting and speculative aspects which are sometimes neglected in standard works and trying to furnish an enriched vision of the topic. The present work constitutes an easy-to-read critical point of view which tries to interact with the imagination of readers, hopefully leading to the discovery of novel aspects and interconnections and ultimately stimulating new ideas and research.

ACS Style

Pietro Calandra; Elisabeta Szerb; Domenico Lombardo; Vincenzo Algieri; Antonio De Nino; Loredana Maiuolo. A Presentation of Ionic Liquids as Lubricants: Some Critical Comments. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 5677 .

AMA Style

Pietro Calandra, Elisabeta Szerb, Domenico Lombardo, Vincenzo Algieri, Antonio De Nino, Loredana Maiuolo. A Presentation of Ionic Liquids as Lubricants: Some Critical Comments. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (12):5677.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Calandra; Elisabeta Szerb; Domenico Lombardo; Vincenzo Algieri; Antonio De Nino; Loredana Maiuolo. 2021. "A Presentation of Ionic Liquids as Lubricants: Some Critical Comments." Applied Sciences 11, no. 12: 5677.

Journal article
Published: 17 June 2021 in Journal of Molecular Liquids
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Bitumen is a complex material used for road pavement throughout the world. During paving and pavement service life loss of more volatile compounds and oxidization takes place. Hence, asphaltene micelles become larger so that the fluidity of the system is reduced; the material becomes rigid, stiff and brittle so needing replacement. Once removed, it can be processed to restore its original properties and used for Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). For such a process, additives called “rejuvenators” are used: they act on the chemical structure of aged bitumen to restore its physical properties to a state very similar to virgin bitumen. Alternatively, softening agents can be used to restore only the physical properties. An additive conferring regenerating characteristic on the asphalt mix increases the longevity of asphalt pavements due to the fact that it brings the bitumen back to its initial state; on the other hand, softening agents render the aged bitumen more workable but road pavements remain rigid and eventually break in the course of use. At the moment, methods that can distinguish a regenerating effect from a fluxing effect are not known. This study aims at evaluating the different effects of the additives on aged bitumen. For this purpose, we used a commercial additive (tritolyl poly phosphate, TPI) working as rejuvenator and a softening agent (soy oil) which is a well-known fluxing agent. The effects of the additives on aged bitumen have been investigated through Dynamic Shear Rheometer, Atomic Force Microscopy, Optical Microscopy and Infrared Spectroscopy.

ACS Style

Valeria Loise; Pietro Calandra; Abraham A. Abe; Michele Porto; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Mariano Davoli; Paolino Caputo. Additives on aged bitumens: what probe to distinguish between rejuvenating and fluxing effects? Journal of Molecular Liquids 2021, 339, 116742 .

AMA Style

Valeria Loise, Pietro Calandra, Abraham A. Abe, Michele Porto, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Mariano Davoli, Paolino Caputo. Additives on aged bitumens: what probe to distinguish between rejuvenating and fluxing effects? Journal of Molecular Liquids. 2021; 339 ():116742.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valeria Loise; Pietro Calandra; Abraham A. Abe; Michele Porto; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Mariano Davoli; Paolino Caputo. 2021. "Additives on aged bitumens: what probe to distinguish between rejuvenating and fluxing effects?" Journal of Molecular Liquids 339, no. : 116742.

Editorial
Published: 10 February 2021 in Journal of Nanomaterials
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The guest editors for this special issue are pleased to welcome contributions from researchers studying smart nanostructured materials developed from molecular self-assembly processes and their advanced applications. Molecular self-assembly can be exploited in key approaches for the design and development of nanostructured systems and has become a fundamental method for the formation of advanced nanomaterials. Manuscripts selected for this special issue deal with their product design, applications, and methods for the investigation of their structure and properties. A substantial number of papers were submitted, and after a thorough peer review process, six papers were selected to be included in this special issue. These papers cover a wide range of novel materials for advanced applications. We believe that the papers collected in this special issue highlight current relevant topics in research related to the molecular self-assembly of nanomaterials and their advanced applications and will introduce readers to important advances in this field. N. Fu et al. [1] investigated the influence of different molar ratios of Ti/Si on the morphology, structure, and photocatalytic activity of core-shell [email protected] nanoparticles (CSTNs) for photocatalytic applications. A high photocatalytic efficiency of the CSTNs (synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method) was shown with low photocatalyst addition by studying the photocatalytic activity of the CSTNs for both colourless organic pollutants (such as phenol) and coloured substances (such as methylene blue) under UV irradiation. More specifically, the study evidences that the CSTNs with the Ti/Si molar ratio of 5 : 1 had the highest photocatalytic activity of 99.4% towards phenol and 99.2% towards methylene blue, which showed higher photocatalytic efficiency with the addition of 0.25 g/L photocatalyst compared with the other reported TiO2-SiO2 composites. The review article by M. M. Rahman et al. [2] furnished an up-to-date documentary on various catalysts used for the oxidation of alkyl-substituted benzenes along with their reaction conditions and selectivity profiles. Because of the substantial improvements in product yield and catalyst reusability, heterogeneous catalysts have gained growing consideration in recent years. In this respect, this review article work updates our knowledge for the selection and/or design of novel catalysts for chemists and engineers in industrial and academic settings. In the paper by X. Wang et al. [3], nano-BiOBr photocatalysts were successfully prepared by the hydrothermal method, while the influences of different solvents (and concentrations) on the structure, morphology, optical properties, and photocatalytic properties were investigated systematically. The results indicated that the concentration and solvents have an essential influence on the bandgap energy values of the nano-BiOBr photocatalyst, and the photocatalyst showed an excellent activity on the photodegradation of rhodamine B. Finally, the high photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts for contaminant aqueous solutions investigated in this paper may stimulate the development of new platforms to develop flexible photocatalysts for practical applications in water purification. In the article by N. T. V. Hoan et al. [4], the synthesis of TiO2/diazonium/graphene oxide composites and their application to visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in a visible region have been studied. The photocatalytic oxidation exhibited a complete decomposition of MB by the cleavage and oxidation of one or more of the methyl substituents on the amine groups. The catalyst was stable and recyclable after three times with a negligible loss of catalytic activity. In addition, the TiO2/diazonium/graphene oxide can also photocatalyze for the degradation of some other dyes (phenol, methyl red, and Congo red). To explain the experimental behaviour, the authors proposed a kinetic model by the combination of the classical Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Finally, the proposed catalyst with its stability and recyclable advantages is promising for application in the treatment of dye wastes. In the study by L. A. Kaledin et al. [5], the aluminum-water reaction has successfully been used to produce 2D and 1D quantum (and nanometer) size of γ-AlOOH (Boehmite) and β-FeOOH (Akaganeite)/γ-AlOOH (Boehmite) mesostructures deposited onto siliceous substrates in a one-step process at moderate temperature. The investigation of the role of surface nanoscale roughness and charging behaviour evidenced that the isoelectric point values of rough nanostructured surfaces were three pH units higher compared to the flat crystalline γ-AlOOH (Boehmite) and β-FeOOH (Akaganeite) surfaces, resulting in a high removal efficacy of submicron particles from aqueous suspension by the surfaces with combined microscale and nanoscale structures. The authors also proposed a model explaining the pH-dependent behaviour of the zeta potential and suggested the existence of a coupling electrokinetic effect of the local electrical double layer (EDL) fields with the local flow fields. Finally, in the review paper by C. Cretu et al. [6], the basic concepts on self-assembly of small amphiphilic molecules with noble metals are shown with reference to their photophysical properties. The article is aimed at furnishing to the reader a panoramic view of this exciting problematics in terms of (i) the principles of self-assembly of amphiphiles that involve noble metals, (ii) the preparation of opportune amphiphile-noble metal hybrids, and (iii) examples of amphiphile-noble metal systems as representative of systems with enhanced photophysical properties. Finally, comments and perspectives are given with special attention to a range of possible modern and advanced applications in nanotechnology. The six articles of this special issue will...

ACS Style

Domenico Lombardo; Mikhail A. Kiselev; Luigi Pasqua; Giuseppe Pellicane; Pietro Calandra. Smart Nanostructured Materials: From Molecular Self-Assembly to Advanced Applications. Journal of Nanomaterials 2021, 2021, 1 -2.

AMA Style

Domenico Lombardo, Mikhail A. Kiselev, Luigi Pasqua, Giuseppe Pellicane, Pietro Calandra. Smart Nanostructured Materials: From Molecular Self-Assembly to Advanced Applications. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2021; 2021 ():1-2.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Lombardo; Mikhail A. Kiselev; Luigi Pasqua; Giuseppe Pellicane; Pietro Calandra. 2021. "Smart Nanostructured Materials: From Molecular Self-Assembly to Advanced Applications." Journal of Nanomaterials 2021, no. : 1-2.

Journal article
Published: 08 December 2020 in Journal of Molecular Liquids
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Owing to the amphiphilic nature of their constituent molecules, binary mixtures of pure liquid surfactants are usually characterized by enhanced nano-segregation and thus can exhibit interesting transport properties and complex macroscopic behavior. In this ambit it was recently shown by Turco Liveri et al. (J. Mol. Liq. 263 (2018) 274–281) at room temperature that mixtures of short aliphatic chains compounds, such as dibutyl phosphate (DBP) and n-propylamine (PA) liquids, due to their ability to allow for phosphate-to-amine proton transfer, display ionic liquid–like behavior with composition-dependent enhanced conductivity, viscosity, and magnetically-induced birefringence. To understand the molecular mechanisms at the basis of this behavior, in the present study a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and dielectric spectroscopy investigations has been carried out for the same materials for different amine molar ratios. It was found that at certain compositions all studied dynamical processes (conformational changes, local hopping of “free” protons among neighboring polar headgroups, long-range charge migration) exhibit significant deviations from ideal mixing behavior. The microscopic origin of these deviations is discussed.

ACS Style

Pietro Calandra; Vincenzo Turco Liveri; Noemi Proietti; Donatella Capitani; Domenico Lombardo; Catalin Gainaru; Roland Böhmer; Maciej Kozak; Maria Dobies; Zbigniew Fojud; Mikolaj Pochylski. Non-ideal mixing behavior in dibutyl phosphate-propylamine binary liquids: Dielectric and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. Journal of Molecular Liquids 2020, 323, 114963 .

AMA Style

Pietro Calandra, Vincenzo Turco Liveri, Noemi Proietti, Donatella Capitani, Domenico Lombardo, Catalin Gainaru, Roland Böhmer, Maciej Kozak, Maria Dobies, Zbigniew Fojud, Mikolaj Pochylski. Non-ideal mixing behavior in dibutyl phosphate-propylamine binary liquids: Dielectric and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. Journal of Molecular Liquids. 2020; 323 ():114963.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Calandra; Vincenzo Turco Liveri; Noemi Proietti; Donatella Capitani; Domenico Lombardo; Catalin Gainaru; Roland Böhmer; Maciej Kozak; Maria Dobies; Zbigniew Fojud; Mikolaj Pochylski. 2020. "Non-ideal mixing behavior in dibutyl phosphate-propylamine binary liquids: Dielectric and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations." Journal of Molecular Liquids 323, no. : 114963.

Journal article
Published: 30 November 2020 in Applied Sciences
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For asphalt concrete preparation in laboratory mix-design operations, bitumens are usually mixed with micrometer-sized particles (filler), sand and centimeter-sized crushed stones in a gyratory press at a temperature of about 140–155 °C depending on the bitumen viscosity, until adequate homogenization and compaction take place (air voids optimum). This requires energy consumption. To minimize it, the process needs to be optimized and is usually made empirically. The aim of this manuscript is to gain a comprehension of the physico-chemical mechanisms involved in the process by exploring: (i) the rheological properties (viscosity, activation energy) of a neat and RTFOT-aged bitumen, in presence and in absence of a filler, (ii) the volumetric and resistance behavior under the compaction in a standard Gyratory Compactor (GC) of their blends with aggregates and (iii) the mechanical properties (Indirect Tensile Strength, compression and tensile deformation) of the final products. Correlations between activation energy and pre-exponential factor of the viscosity on a side, and between viscosity, workability and final mechanical properties on the other side allowed to provide a rational interpretation of the physico-chemical processes involved in the framework of the physics of complex fluids. The scientific clues will be of help in optimizing the workability in asphalt concretes productions with obvious repercussions in terms of energy savings, useful for economic and environmental issues.

ACS Style

Paolino Caputo; Pietro Calandra; Rosolino Vaiana; Vincenzo Gallelli; Giovanni De Filpo; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Preparation of Asphalt Concretes by Gyratory Compactor: A Case of Study with Rheological and Mechanical Aspects. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 8567 .

AMA Style

Paolino Caputo, Pietro Calandra, Rosolino Vaiana, Vincenzo Gallelli, Giovanni De Filpo, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Preparation of Asphalt Concretes by Gyratory Compactor: A Case of Study with Rheological and Mechanical Aspects. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (23):8567.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paolino Caputo; Pietro Calandra; Rosolino Vaiana; Vincenzo Gallelli; Giovanni De Filpo; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2020. "Preparation of Asphalt Concretes by Gyratory Compactor: A Case of Study with Rheological and Mechanical Aspects." Applied Sciences 10, no. 23: 8567.

Review
Published: 29 November 2020 in Molecules
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Scattering techniques represent non-invasive experimental approaches and powerful tools for the investigation of structure and conformation of biomaterial systems in a wide range of distances, ranging from the nanometric to micrometric scale. More specifically, small-angle X-rays and neutron scattering and light scattering techniques represent well-established experimental techniques for the investigation of the structural properties of biomaterials and, through the use of suitable models, they allow to study and mimic various biological systems under physiologically relevant conditions. They provide the ensemble averaged (and then statistically relevant) information under in situ and operando conditions, and represent useful tools complementary to the various traditional imaging techniques that, on the contrary, reveal more local structural information. Together with the classical structure characterization approaches, we introduce the basic concepts that make it possible to examine inter-particles interactions, and to study the growth processes and conformational changes in nanostructures, which have become increasingly relevant for an accurate understanding and prediction of various mechanisms in the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. The upgrade of the various scattering techniques, such as the contrast variation or time resolved experiments, offers unique opportunities to study the nano- and mesoscopic structure and their evolution with time in a way not accessible by other techniques. For this reason, highly performant instruments are installed at most of the facility research centers worldwide. These new insights allow to largely ameliorate the control of (chemico-physical and biologic) processes of complex (bio-)materials at the molecular length scales, and open a full potential for the development and engineering of a variety of nano-scale biomaterials for advanced applications.

ACS Style

Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra; Mikhail A. Kiselev. Structural Characterization of Biomaterials by Means of Small Angle X-rays and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS), and Light Scattering Experiments. Molecules 2020, 25, 5624 .

AMA Style

Domenico Lombardo, Pietro Calandra, Mikhail A. Kiselev. Structural Characterization of Biomaterials by Means of Small Angle X-rays and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS), and Light Scattering Experiments. Molecules. 2020; 25 (23):5624.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra; Mikhail A. Kiselev. 2020. "Structural Characterization of Biomaterials by Means of Small Angle X-rays and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS), and Light Scattering Experiments." Molecules 25, no. 23: 5624.

Review article
Published: 15 October 2020 in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
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Asphalt concretes are biphasic systems, with a predominant phase (c.a. 93–96% w/w) made by the macro-meter sized inorganic aggregates hold together by small amounts of a viscoelastic binding bitumen (c.a. 5%). Even if the bitumen is in minor amount, it plays an important role dictating all the desired properties: rheological performances, resistance to aging etc. What happens if nanoparticles are used as additive in such materials? They usually confer enhanced resistance under mechanical stress and give sometimes interesting added-values properties so, despite the high costs of their production, nanoparticles are interesting materials which are being monitored for large scales applications. This work introduces the reader to the properties of nanoparticles in an easy to review their use in bitumen and asphalt preparation. Silica, ceramic, clay, other oxides and inorganic nanoparticles are presented and critically discussed in the framework of their use in bitumen and asphalt preparation for various scopes. Organic and functionalized nanoparticles are likewise discussed. Perspectives and cost analysis are also given for a more complete view of the problematic, hoping this could help researchers in their piloted design of material for road pavements with ever-increasing performances.

ACS Style

Paolino Caputo; Michele Porto; Ruggero Angelico; Valeria Loise; Pietro Calandra; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Bitumen and asphalt concrete modified by nanometer-sized particles: Basic concepts, the state of the art and future perspectives of the nanoscale approach. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 2020, 285, 102283 .

AMA Style

Paolino Caputo, Michele Porto, Ruggero Angelico, Valeria Loise, Pietro Calandra, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Bitumen and asphalt concrete modified by nanometer-sized particles: Basic concepts, the state of the art and future perspectives of the nanoscale approach. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. 2020; 285 ():102283.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paolino Caputo; Michele Porto; Ruggero Angelico; Valeria Loise; Pietro Calandra; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2020. "Bitumen and asphalt concrete modified by nanometer-sized particles: Basic concepts, the state of the art and future perspectives of the nanoscale approach." Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 285, no. : 102283.

Review article
Published: 13 October 2020 in Journal of Nanomaterials
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The involvement of metal ions within the self-assembly spontaneously occurring in surfactant-based systems gives additional and interesting features. The electronic states of the metal, together with the bonds that can be established with the organic amphiphilic counterpart, are the factors triggering new photophysical properties. Moreover, the availability of stimuli-responsive supramolecular amphiphile assemblies, able to disassemble in a back-process, provides reversible switching particularly useful in novel approaches and applications giving rise to truly smart materials. In particular, small amphiphiles with an inner distribution, within their molecular architecture, of various polar and apolar functional groups, can give a wide variety of interactions and therefore enriched self-assemblies. If it is joined with the opportune presence and localization of noble metals, whose chemical and photophysical properties are undiscussed, then very interesting materials can be obtained. In this minireview, the basic concepts on self-assembly of small amphiphilic molecules with noble metals are shown with particular reference to the photophysical properties aiming at furnishing to the reader a panoramic view of these exciting problematics. In this respect, the following will be shown: (i) the principles of self-assembly of amphiphiles that involve noble metals, (ii) examples of amphiphiles and amphiphile-noble metal systems as representatives of systems with enhanced photophysical properties, and (iii) final comments and perspectives with some examples of modern applications.

ACS Style

Carmen Cretu; Loredana Maiuolo; Domenico Lombardo; Elisabeta I. Szerb; Pietro Calandra. Luminescent Supramolecular Nano- or Microstructures Formed in Aqueous Media by Amphiphile-Noble Metal Complexes. Journal of Nanomaterials 2020, 2020, 1 -24.

AMA Style

Carmen Cretu, Loredana Maiuolo, Domenico Lombardo, Elisabeta I. Szerb, Pietro Calandra. Luminescent Supramolecular Nano- or Microstructures Formed in Aqueous Media by Amphiphile-Noble Metal Complexes. Journal of Nanomaterials. 2020; 2020 ():1-24.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carmen Cretu; Loredana Maiuolo; Domenico Lombardo; Elisabeta I. Szerb; Pietro Calandra. 2020. "Luminescent Supramolecular Nano- or Microstructures Formed in Aqueous Media by Amphiphile-Noble Metal Complexes." Journal of Nanomaterials 2020, no. : 1-24.

Commentary
Published: 29 July 2020 in Applied Sciences
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Asphalt concretes are materials used worldwide. It is well-known that in such materials the minor component, the bitumen, plays the most important role since it binds the high fraction (>95%) of inorganic macrometer-sized particles ensuring a coherent material fit for uses in road pavement. Additives can be used to increase the overall rheological properties, with high benefits in terms of resistance to mechanical stress and to ageing. Among these, nanoparticles have recently been considered as very effective additives in increasing the overall performance, increasing the viscosity, the rutting parameter and the recovery from deformation. However, they are expensive, so a delicate equilibrium between costs and benefits must be found for large-scale uses. In this framework, we furnish our critical analysis of the state-of-the art technologies used for improving the bitumen performances by means of nanoparticles with an eye to eventual added-values (like anti-oxidant effect, antistripping properties, or UV radiation screening which avoids radiation-induced ageing…). We will critically consider the costs involved in their use and we will give our opinion about vanguard techniques which can be fit for the analysis of nanoparticles-containing bitumens and asphalts. Interesting perspectives will be also given for future research and applications.

ACS Style

Pietro Calandra; Valeria Loise; Michele Porto; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Domenico Lombardo; Paolino Caputo. Exploiting Nanoparticles to Improve the Properties of Bitumens and Asphalts: At What Extent Is It Really Worth It? Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 5230 .

AMA Style

Pietro Calandra, Valeria Loise, Michele Porto, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Domenico Lombardo, Paolino Caputo. Exploiting Nanoparticles to Improve the Properties of Bitumens and Asphalts: At What Extent Is It Really Worth It? Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (15):5230.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Calandra; Valeria Loise; Michele Porto; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Domenico Lombardo; Paolino Caputo. 2020. "Exploiting Nanoparticles to Improve the Properties of Bitumens and Asphalts: At What Extent Is It Really Worth It?" Applied Sciences 10, no. 15: 5230.

Review
Published: 19 June 2020 in Nanomaterials
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The asphalt industry’s incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has increased since the 1990s due to growing concerns on environmental issues such as global warming and carbon footprint. This has stimulated the introduction of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and its technologies which serve the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the mixing and compaction temperatures of asphalt mix. WMA gained popularity due to the environmental benefit it offers without compromising the properties, performance and quality of the asphalt mix. WMA is produced at significantly lower temperatures (slightly above 100 °C) and thus results in less energy consumption, fewer emissions, reduced ageing, lower mixing and compaction temperatures, cool weather paving and better workability of the mix. The latter of these benefits is attributed to the incorporation of additives into WMA. These additives can also confer even better performance of WMA in comparison to conventional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) methods. Even though there are recommended dosages of several WMA additives, there is no general standardized mixture design procedure and this makes it challenging to characterize the mechanism(s) of action of these additives in the warm mix. The effects of the addition of additives into WMA are known to a reasonable extent but not so much is known about the underlying interactions and phenomena which bring about the mechanism(s) by which these additives confer beneficial features into the warm mix. Additives in a certain way are being used to bridge the gap and minimize or even nullify the effect of the mixing temperature deficit involved in WMA processes while improving the general properties of the mix. This review presents WMA technologies such as wax, chemical additives and foaming processes and the mechanisms by which they function to confer desired characteristics and improve the durability of the mix. Hybrid techniques are also briefly mentioned in this paper in addition to a detailed description of the specific modes of action of popular WMA technologies such as Sasobit, Evotherm and Advera. This paper highlights the environmental and technical advantages of WMA over the conventional HMA methods and also comprehensively analyzes the mechanism(s) of action of additives in conferring desirable characteristics on WMA, which ultimately improves its durability.

ACS Style

Paolino Caputo; Abraham A. Abe; Valeria Loise; Michele Porto; Pietro Calandra; Ruggero Angelico; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. The Role of Additives in Warm Mix Asphalt Technology: An Insight into Their Mechanisms of Improving an Emerging Technology. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1202 .

AMA Style

Paolino Caputo, Abraham A. Abe, Valeria Loise, Michele Porto, Pietro Calandra, Ruggero Angelico, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. The Role of Additives in Warm Mix Asphalt Technology: An Insight into Their Mechanisms of Improving an Emerging Technology. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10 (6):1202.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paolino Caputo; Abraham A. Abe; Valeria Loise; Michele Porto; Pietro Calandra; Ruggero Angelico; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2020. "The Role of Additives in Warm Mix Asphalt Technology: An Insight into Their Mechanisms of Improving an Emerging Technology." Nanomaterials 10, no. 6: 1202.

Journal article
Published: 24 April 2020 in Journal of Molecular Liquids
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Dibutyl phosphate (DBP)/bis(2-ethylhexyl) amine (BEEA) liquid mixtures can show optical birefringence when exposed to a magnetic field. It has been hypothesized that this is a consequence of self-segregation characterizing these systems giving formation of anisotropic local assemblies which are able to re-orient under magnetic field. In this work, an ab-initio Density Functional Theory computer modeling coupled with synchrotron X-Ray Scattering (XRS) experiments carried out at various BEEA molar ratio (X) and temperatures (10 ≤ T ≤ 60 °C) permitted to highlight the physical origin of this effect: a DBP-to-BEEA proton transfer with formation of an inherently anisotropic DBP-BEEA ion pair constituting the building block of highly structured ionic liquid nanodomains. At non-equimolar compositions (X ≠ 0.5) such ionic liquids domains are dispersed in the component in excess. At X > 0.5 the ionic liquids nanodomains are dispersed in excess of poorly structured BEEA, creating the ideal assumptions for the formation of a two-phase dispersed system, as confirmed by Guinier analysis in the small angle regime of the XRS spectra, explaining the system capability to become birefringent in reaction to external magnetic field. These information can be transferred to other amphiphiles-based mixtures for the piloted design of new magnetic field responsive materials with advanced applications.

ACS Style

Pietro Calandra. On the physico-chemical basis of self-nanosegregation giving magnetically-induced birefringence in dibutyl phosphate/bis(2-ethylhexyl) amine systems. Journal of Molecular Liquids 2020, 310, 113186 .

AMA Style

Pietro Calandra. On the physico-chemical basis of self-nanosegregation giving magnetically-induced birefringence in dibutyl phosphate/bis(2-ethylhexyl) amine systems. Journal of Molecular Liquids. 2020; 310 ():113186.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Calandra. 2020. "On the physico-chemical basis of self-nanosegregation giving magnetically-induced birefringence in dibutyl phosphate/bis(2-ethylhexyl) amine systems." Journal of Molecular Liquids 310, no. : 113186.

Review
Published: 26 February 2020 in Materials
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In this paper, we survey recent advances in the self-assembly processes of novel functional platforms for nanomaterials and biomaterials applications. We provide an organized overview, by analyzing the main factors that influence the formation of organic nanostructured systems, while putting into evidence the main challenges, limitations and emerging approaches in the various fields of nanotechology and biotechnology. We outline how the building blocks properties, the mutual and cooperative interactions, as well as the initial spatial configuration (and environment conditions) play a fundamental role in the construction of efficient nanostructured materials with desired functional properties. The insertion of functional endgroups (such as polymers, peptides or DNA) within the nanostructured units has enormously increased the complexity of morphologies and functions that can be designed in the fabrication of bio-inspired materials capable of mimicking biological activity. However, unwanted or uncontrollable effects originating from unexpected thermodynamic perturbations or complex cooperative interactions interfere at the molecular level with the designed assembly process. Correction and harmonization of unwanted processes is one of the major challenges of the next decades and requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of the key factors that drive the formation of nanomaterials. Self-assembly of nanomaterials still remains a central topic of current research located at the interface between material science and engineering, biotechnology and nanomedicine, and it will continue to stimulate the renewed interest of biologist, physicists and materials engineers by combining the principles of molecular self-assembly with the concept of supramolecular chemistry.

ACS Style

Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra; Luigi Pasqua; Salvatore Magazù. Self-Assembly of Organic Nanomaterials and Biomaterials: The Bottom-Up Approach for Functional Nanostructures Formation and Advanced Applications. Materials 2020, 13, 1048 .

AMA Style

Domenico Lombardo, Pietro Calandra, Luigi Pasqua, Salvatore Magazù. Self-Assembly of Organic Nanomaterials and Biomaterials: The Bottom-Up Approach for Functional Nanostructures Formation and Advanced Applications. Materials. 2020; 13 (5):1048.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra; Luigi Pasqua; Salvatore Magazù. 2020. "Self-Assembly of Organic Nanomaterials and Biomaterials: The Bottom-Up Approach for Functional Nanostructures Formation and Advanced Applications." Materials 13, no. 5: 1048.

Journal article
Published: 24 December 2019 in Applied Sciences
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Magnetically-induced birefringence is usually low in molecular liquids owing to the low magnetic energy of molecules with respect to the thermal one. Despite this, it has been found that a mixture of dibutyl phosphate and propylamine at propylamine molar ratio (X) around 0.33 surprisingly gives an intense effect (∆n/λ ≈ −0.1 at 1 Tesla). In this paper the time- and intensity- response to the magnetic field of such mixture have been studied. It was found that the reaction to the magnetic field is unusually slow (from several minutes to hours) depending of the magnetic field intensity. On the basis of the data, the model of orientable dipoles dispersed in a matrix enables to interpret the magnetic field-induced self-assembly in terms of soft molecules-based nanostructures. The analogy with systems made of magnetically polarizable (solid or soft) particles dispersed in liquid carrier allows understanding, at the microscopic scale, the molecular origin and the supra-molecular dynamics involved in the observed behavior. The data present a novel phenomenon in liquid phase where the progressive building up/change of ordered and strongly interacting amphiphiles is driven by the magnetic field.

ACS Style

Mikolaj Pochylski; Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra. Optical Birefringence Growth Driven by Magnetic Field in Liquids: The Case of Dibutyl Phosphate/Propylamine System. Applied Sciences 2019, 10, 164 .

AMA Style

Mikolaj Pochylski, Domenico Lombardo, Pietro Calandra. Optical Birefringence Growth Driven by Magnetic Field in Liquids: The Case of Dibutyl Phosphate/Propylamine System. Applied Sciences. 2019; 10 (1):164.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mikolaj Pochylski; Domenico Lombardo; Pietro Calandra. 2019. "Optical Birefringence Growth Driven by Magnetic Field in Liquids: The Case of Dibutyl Phosphate/Propylamine System." Applied Sciences 10, no. 1: 164.

Journal article
Published: 17 December 2019 in Applied Sciences
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The rheological properties of bitumens can be modified by the addition of specific chemical additives. Taking into account the molecular complex aggregation pattern, we hypothesized that macromolecules characterized by long, flexible, and hydrophilic chains can establish soft bridges connecting the different polar aggregates of asphaltenes, strengthening their overall hierarchical supra-structures, and consequently increasing rheological performance at higher temperatures. Here, we propose the use of low cost and high availability polysaccharides as chemical additives to improve the rheological characteristics of a bitumen and to strengthen its thermal resistance. Fourteen different low-cost and high-availability polysaccharides, (flours, gums, and extracts from vegetable products) have been tested. While alghae euchemae have proved to be the most effective additive, corn and 00 flours are the least effective. Attempts to explain their differences have been made considering their chemical interactions with the polar molecules of asphaltenes within the complex framework of their supramolecular hierarchical structures. Through Arrhenius analysis, a correlation between activation energy and preexponential factor has been found, which can be useful for practical purposes, together with an unexpected consistency with the behavior of simple liquids, despite the striking differences in structure. Furthermore, a qualitative model has been suggested. The added value of this work is the focus on polysaccharides constituting low-cost, high availability materials which are sometimes even found as waste in industrial processes, all factors which, together with the environmental issues connected with their use, can be considered for large-scale applications.

ACS Style

Michele Porto; Paolino Caputo; Valeria Loise; Giovanni De Filpo; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Pietro Calandra. Polysaccharides-Reinforced Bitumens: Specificities and Universality of Rheological Behavior. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 5564 .

AMA Style

Michele Porto, Paolino Caputo, Valeria Loise, Giovanni De Filpo, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Pietro Calandra. Polysaccharides-Reinforced Bitumens: Specificities and Universality of Rheological Behavior. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (24):5564.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michele Porto; Paolino Caputo; Valeria Loise; Giovanni De Filpo; Cesare Oliviero Rossi; Pietro Calandra. 2019. "Polysaccharides-Reinforced Bitumens: Specificities and Universality of Rheological Behavior." Applied Sciences 9, no. 24: 5564.

Journal article
Published: 15 December 2019 in SERIES OF GEOLOGY AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES
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ACS Style

Michele Porto; Paolino Caputo; Valeria Loise; Bagdat Burkhanbaiuly Teltayev; Ruggero Angelico; Pietro Calandra; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. NEW EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES TO ANALYSE THE SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF REJUVENATED AGED BITUMENS. SERIES OF GEOLOGY AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES 2019, 6, 295 -301.

AMA Style

Michele Porto, Paolino Caputo, Valeria Loise, Bagdat Burkhanbaiuly Teltayev, Ruggero Angelico, Pietro Calandra, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. NEW EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES TO ANALYSE THE SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF REJUVENATED AGED BITUMENS. SERIES OF GEOLOGY AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES. 2019; 6 (438):295-301.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michele Porto; Paolino Caputo; Valeria Loise; Bagdat Burkhanbaiuly Teltayev; Ruggero Angelico; Pietro Calandra; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2019. "NEW EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES TO ANALYSE THE SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF REJUVENATED AGED BITUMENS." SERIES OF GEOLOGY AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES 6, no. 438: 295-301.

Composites and nanocomposites
Published: 25 November 2019 in Journal of Materials Science
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Increasing awareness of environmental concerns has strongly pushed the scientific community towards the search for new solutions for efficient removal of oils and organic solvents from water. Here, we report the preparation of multifunctional TiO2-coated melamine-formaldehyde (MF) sponges as absorbent material for oils and organic solvents in water. TiO2-coated MF sponges were fabricated through an environmentally friendly approach, consisting in a simple immersion of the sponge into an oleic acid-capped TiO2 nanoparticles dispersion. The adhesion of TiOle coating to the sponge was then improved by the deposition of a low surface energy diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin layer. Our results highlighted that the modified MF sponges possess superhydrophobic and oleophilic behaviour, inertness to corrosive environment, good durability and reusability. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic DLC/[email protected] showed (1) novel self-cleaning properties towards an absorbed commercial organic dye (IR-270BKA, chosen as representative) under visible light irradiation and (2) enhanced flame-retardant behaviour respect to the pristine MF sponge. These findings point out an important added value of DLC/[email protected] making them promising candidates for wastewater treatments.

ACS Style

Roberta G. Toro; Pietro Calandra; Fulvio Federici; Tilde De Caro; Alessio Mezzi; Barbara Cortese; Anna Lucia Pellegrino; Graziella Malandrino; Daniela Caschera. Development of superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and flame-resistant DLC/TiO2 melamine sponge for application in oil–water separation. Journal of Materials Science 2019, 55, 2846 -2859.

AMA Style

Roberta G. Toro, Pietro Calandra, Fulvio Federici, Tilde De Caro, Alessio Mezzi, Barbara Cortese, Anna Lucia Pellegrino, Graziella Malandrino, Daniela Caschera. Development of superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and flame-resistant DLC/TiO2 melamine sponge for application in oil–water separation. Journal of Materials Science. 2019; 55 (7):2846-2859.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberta G. Toro; Pietro Calandra; Fulvio Federici; Tilde De Caro; Alessio Mezzi; Barbara Cortese; Anna Lucia Pellegrino; Graziella Malandrino; Daniela Caschera. 2019. "Development of superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and flame-resistant DLC/TiO2 melamine sponge for application in oil–water separation." Journal of Materials Science 55, no. 7: 2846-2859.

Review
Published: 14 October 2019 in Applied Sciences
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This review aims to explore the state of the knowledge and the state-of-the-art regarding bitumen rejuvenation. In particular, attention was paid to clear things up about the rejuvenator mechanism of action. Frequently, the terms rejuvenator and flux oil, or oil (i.e., softening agent) are used as if they were synonymous. According to our knowledge, these two terms refer to substances producing different modifications to the aged bitumen: they can decrease the viscosity (softening agents), or, in addition to this, restore the original microstructure (real rejuvenators). In order to deal with the argument in its entirety, the bitumen is investigated in terms of chemical structure and microstructural features. Proper investigating tools are, therefore, needed to distinguish the different mechanisms of action of the various types of bitumen, so attention is focused on recent research and the use of different investigation techniques to distinguish between various additives. Methods based on organic synthesis can also be used to prepare ad-hoc rejuvenating molecules with higher performances. The interplay of chemical interaction, structural changes and overall effect of the additive is then presented in terms of the modern concepts of complex systems, which furnishes valid arguments to suggest X-ray scattering and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance relaxometry experiments as vanguard and forefront tools to study bitumen. Far from being a standard review, this work represents a critical analysis of the state-of-the-art taking into account for the molecular basis at the origin of the observed behavior. Furnishing a novel viewpoint for the study of bitumen based on the concepts of the complex systems in physics, it constitutes a novel approach for the study of these systems.

ACS Style

Valeria Loise; Paolino Caputo; Michele Porto; Pietro Calandra; Ruggero Angelico; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. A Review on Bitumen Rejuvenation: Mechanisms, Materials, Methods and Perspectives. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 4316 .

AMA Style

Valeria Loise, Paolino Caputo, Michele Porto, Pietro Calandra, Ruggero Angelico, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. A Review on Bitumen Rejuvenation: Mechanisms, Materials, Methods and Perspectives. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (20):4316.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valeria Loise; Paolino Caputo; Michele Porto; Pietro Calandra; Ruggero Angelico; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2019. "A Review on Bitumen Rejuvenation: Mechanisms, Materials, Methods and Perspectives." Applied Sciences 9, no. 20: 4316.

Paper
Published: 09 May 2019 in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
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The decrease in the PEO chain hydration favours the increase in the PDMS–PEO micelle aggregation number with the increase in temperature.

ACS Style

Domenico Lombardo; Gianmarco Munaò; Pietro Calandra; Luigi Pasqua; Maria Teresa Caccamo. Evidence of pre-micellar aggregates in aqueous solution of amphiphilic PDMS–PEO block copolymer. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2019, 21, 11983 -11991.

AMA Style

Domenico Lombardo, Gianmarco Munaò, Pietro Calandra, Luigi Pasqua, Maria Teresa Caccamo. Evidence of pre-micellar aggregates in aqueous solution of amphiphilic PDMS–PEO block copolymer. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. 2019; 21 (22):11983-11991.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Lombardo; Gianmarco Munaò; Pietro Calandra; Luigi Pasqua; Maria Teresa Caccamo. 2019. "Evidence of pre-micellar aggregates in aqueous solution of amphiphilic PDMS–PEO block copolymer." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 21, no. 22: 11983-11991.

Articles
Published: 03 May 2019 in Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
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The photochromic compound 2,6-bis(2-hydroxybenzilidene)cyclohexanone (PC) has been dissolved in some selected liquid amphiphiles: dibutyl, tributyl, bis-2-ethylhexyl, tris-2-ethylhexyl phosphate and bis-2-ethylhexyl amine. The aim was to explore its photophysical properties when embedded in the novel chemical environment provided by the amphiphilic solvents. UV-Vis spectra revealed different features depending on the solvent thus highlighting specific solvent-solute interactions and different chemical environments. All the alkylphosphate-based systems were found to be unstable; slow (days) changes in the absorption features due to the slow change in populations of the various species present in solution. Interestingly, the dissolution of PC into bis-2-ethylhexyl amine leads to stable solutions most probably due to the basic character of the solvent stabilising as major specie chalcone forms. Fluorescence spectra suggested the equilibrium between two species with different absorption and fluorescence properties.

ACS Style

Livia Corici; Daniela Caschera; Liliana Cseh; Giuseppina De Luca; Elisabeta I. Szerb; Pietro Calandra. Amphiphiles as novel solvents for photochromics: stability and photophysical properties. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals 2019, 684, 24 -36.

AMA Style

Livia Corici, Daniela Caschera, Liliana Cseh, Giuseppina De Luca, Elisabeta I. Szerb, Pietro Calandra. Amphiphiles as novel solvents for photochromics: stability and photophysical properties. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals. 2019; 684 (1):24-36.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Livia Corici; Daniela Caschera; Liliana Cseh; Giuseppina De Luca; Elisabeta I. Szerb; Pietro Calandra. 2019. "Amphiphiles as novel solvents for photochromics: stability and photophysical properties." Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals 684, no. 1: 24-36.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2019 in Construction and Building Materials
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ACS Style

Pietro Calandra; Paolino Caputo; Maria Penelope De Santo; Lorena Todaro; Vincenzo Turco Liveri; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Effect of additives on the structural organization of asphaltene aggregates in bitumen. Construction and Building Materials 2019, 199, 288 -297.

AMA Style

Pietro Calandra, Paolino Caputo, Maria Penelope De Santo, Lorena Todaro, Vincenzo Turco Liveri, Cesare Oliviero Rossi. Effect of additives on the structural organization of asphaltene aggregates in bitumen. Construction and Building Materials. 2019; 199 ():288-297.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro Calandra; Paolino Caputo; Maria Penelope De Santo; Lorena Todaro; Vincenzo Turco Liveri; Cesare Oliviero Rossi. 2019. "Effect of additives on the structural organization of asphaltene aggregates in bitumen." Construction and Building Materials 199, no. : 288-297.