Virginia Venezia

Silica nanoparticles (SNP) are widely recognized as versatile carriers for drug delivery and theranostics due to their exceptional properties, including tuneable pore structures, high surface area, biocompatibility, and chemical stability. In this study, we synthesized and characterized three types of SNP with distinct morphologies and pore distributions: classical mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNP) and two wrinkle silica nanoparticles (WSNP) prepared using isopropanol (WSNP-ipa) or pentanol (WSNP-p) as co-solvents. The ability of these SNP to adsorb and encapsulate three different luminescent ruthenium(II) complexes, promising candidates in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer, was systematically evaluated. Advanced characterization techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and N₂ adsorption/desorption analysis, highlighted the morphological, physico-chemical, and surface properties of the synthesized SNP. WSNP displayed hierarchical pore structures, larger pore volumes, and superior surface charge compared to MSNP, significantly enhancing their drug-loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed that the ruthenium complexes retained their intrinsic optical properties upon encapsulation. These studies underscore the pivotal role of silica nanoparticle architecture in modulating drug-loading efficiency, stability, and photophysical behaviour of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the encapsulation of ruthenium complexes within optimized WSNP offers a promising approach for advanced PDT applications, combining efficient drug delivery with enhanced luminescence for potential theranostic use. Graphical Abstract

A nanostructured sensing platform was developed by integrating gold-decorated lignin nanoparticles (AuLNPs) into electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibre mats. The composite material combines the high surface-to-volume ratio of PLA nanofibres with the chemical functionality of lignin—a polyphenolic biopolymer rich in hydroxyl and aromatic groups—enabling selective interactions with volatile amines through hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals forces. The embedded gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) further enhance the sensor’s electrical conductivity and provide catalytic sites for improved analyte interaction. The sensor exhibited selective adsorption of amine vapours, showing particularly strong affinity for dimethylamine (DMA), with a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 440 ppb. Relative humidity (RH) was found to significantly influence sensor performance by facilitating amine protonation, thus promoting interaction with the sensing surface. The developed sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility, highlighting its potential for real-time detection of amines in environmental monitoring, industrial safety and healthcare diagnostics.

Hybrid lignin TiO₂ nanoparticles: red-ox activity enables biocide disinfection and dye removal.

This review examines the central role of hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen from renewable sources, in the global search for energy solutions that are sustainable and safe by design. Using the hydrogen square, safety measures across the hydrogen value chain—production, storage, transport, and utilisation—are discussed, thereby highlighting the need for a balanced approach to ensure a sustainable and efficient hydrogen economy. The review also underlines the challenges in safety assessments, points to past incidents, and argues for a comprehensive risk assessment that uses empirical modelling, simulation-based computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) for hydrogen dispersion, and quantitative risk assessments. It also highlights the activities carried out by our research group SaRAH (Safety, Risk Analysis, and Hydrogen) relative to a more rigorous risk assessment of hydrogen-related systems through the use of a combined approach of CFD simulations and the appropriate risk assessment tools. Our research activities are currently focused on underground hydrogen storage and hydrogen transport as hythane.

Lignin, a main byproduct from paper manufacturing and biorefineries, is now emerging as a new low-cost, renewable starting material for new product development. Its biocompatibility and safety make it valuable for creating novel and value-added products. Lignin, a polymer with many hydrophilic and active groups, confers many useful properties. However, there are several challenges to overcome due to its complex chemical structure and heterogeneous self-assembly behavior. Nanostructured systems using lignin could address these challenges, finding applications in food science, cosmetics, and healthcare. This study explores two main green synthesis approaches for lignin nanoparticles: bottom-up based on the self-assembly in a solvent–antisolvent system and top-down based on the ultrasonication. These nanoparticles are evaluated for morphology, estimation of phenolic content and antioxidant effects. Specifically, the antisolvent nanostructures show a spherical conformation with a higher antioxidant activity due to a better organization of phenolic hydroxyl groups. Obtained result have been exploited to draw an efficient and cheap technological route for lignin valorization.