Main scientific interests: surface modification/functionalization of polymers to obtain biocompatible materials, synthesis of multifunctional composite materials, obtaining of responsive polymeric surfaces, encapsulation of active principles in polymeric matrices, development of food packaging materials (active, bioactive, responsive, biodegradable), “cold” plasma and gamma radiation influence on functionalization of polymeric materials.

Experience in analysis and experimental techniques: UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy; potentiometric and polyelectrolyte titrations, measurements concerning wetting properties of polymeric materials (contact angle measurements - hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, surface free energy by geometric mean method and acid-base approach, work of adhesion - in vitro biocompatibility estimation), morphology analysis by SEM and AFM techniques, and in vitro antioxidant assays - DPPH, ABTS.

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Main scientific interests: Polymer degradation and stability, kinetics and mechanisms of thermal degradation, treatment/valorization of polymer waste, removal of heteroatoms from pyrolysis oils, use of natural compounds (e.g. essential/vegetal oils) to improve the antimicrobial/antioxidant properties of polymeric materials (e.g. food packaging).

Experience in analysis and experimental techniques: pyrolysis techniques, thermal analysis methods (TG-DTG/FTIR-MSD, DTA, DSC), characterisation gas chromatographic methods (GC-TCD, GC-FID, GC-AED, GC-MS), Temperature Programmed Desorption/Degradation (TPD), FT-IR, H- and C- NMR, XRD spectroscopy, etc.

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Main scientific interests: synthesis and characterization of multi-component polymeric systems including hydrogels, smart materials, hybrid systems, drug-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes, biodegradable polymers and polymeric systems, controlled drug delivery systems, polymeric materials with applications in tissue engineering.

Experience in analysis and experimental techniques: Agilent 708–DS Dissolution Tester coupled with Cary 60 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer; NMR Spectroscopy; FT-IR Spectroscopy; ATR Spectroscopy; Adhesion Tests with TA.XT Plus Texture Analyzer (Stable Micro Systems Ltd., UK); Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Mettler Toledo instrument; Contact angle measurements and surface free energy calculation using CAM-200 Goniometer.

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Main scientific interests: polymeric materials intended for medical, pharmaceutical, food packaging applications; synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of multicomponent polymeric systems (IPNs/hydrogels, films, electrospun fibres, nanocomposites); stimuli-responsive polymers and polymeric systems.

Experience in analysis and experimental techniques: Dissolution tests for drug delivery applications and migration testing of active components from materials intended for food packaging applications, kinetics of active components release; Rheology of polymer solutions, blends, colloidal suspensions, emulsions, gels; Antioxidant activity evaluation (DPPH, ABTS tests); Biodegradability of polymeric materials.

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Main scientific interests: synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of environmentally degradable polymer blends/composites and increases their performance for specific applications, thermal behavior and GC analysis of polymer materials, synthesis and characterization of multi-component hydrogels, biodegradable polymeric systems with applications in food packaging.

Experience in analysis and experimental techniques: pyrolysis, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MSD), spectroscopy (FTIR, XRD), optical and electronic microscopy (SEM); thermal analysis methods coupled with evolved gas analysis (TG-FTIR/MS, DSC) and rheometry tests.

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