Family name, First name: Rapisarda, Marco
Since 2014, his research has focused on the characterization and degradation of polymeric materials, in particular for applications in the field of packaging, with problems related to environmental sustainability and disposal. His activities concern the development of analytical methods, study of biodegradable and bioplastic polymeric blends, evaluation of the mechanical properties of biodegradable and traditional films used in primary and secondary packaging, characterization and degradation of commercial and synthetic polymeric materials, degradation and biodegradation tests.
The experience gained has allowed him to investigate various aspects relating to the determination of the degree of degradation of different types of polymeric products in different environments (soil, compost, water) and in different conditions (before and after sterilization or photo-oxidation) with the aim to evaluate the applicability of biodegradable plastics to replace traditional ones and evaluate their performance. He was able to extend his know-how on biodegradation tests in the marine environment during a company internship at Novamont, a leader in the sector of biodegradable and compostable plastics.
He carried out studies on irrigation pipes and mulching films based on biodegradable polymers, evaluating the effect of solar radiation on these materials, and on compostable films intended for primary packaging of fresh-cut products. The results obtained, in collaboration with both public and private entities, have been the subject of publications, conference presentations and a communication at the CNR IPCB Institute Workshop "Current and future challenges in advanced materials, sustainability, health and nanomedicine" awarded as best presentation.
Part of his activity has been spent on the development of analytical methods. He was involved in the development of a new test to determine the resistance of gelatins by implementing information that requires the use of multiple tools. The new tool, obtained with 3D printing, gives results that can be correlated with those of the classical techniques used so far, but with a single analysis. He worked on the development of a method to determine and quantify the presence of nonbiodegradable components (polyethylene, PE) in certified biodegradable and compostable take-away bags.
Since 2016, the method, published in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis (DOI: 10.1016 /j.jaap.2015.12.014), has been regularly applied to verify the presence of PE in more than 100 bags declared biodegradable and compostable and has helped to detect the incidence of illegal bags on the market. The analyzes were commissioned by Legambiente ONLUS, companies, laboratories and the certification body TÜV Austria Belgium.
Recently, the research activities, carried out within the NUSTEO project, have concerned the development of new iodophors, the development of characterization methods for the determination of free iodine, in solution and in the gaseous phase, the study of packaging for barrier effect to iodine and evaluation of iodine sensors.
Since 2019 he have been involved in organizing scientific dissemination activities, on environmental protection, bioplastics, circular economy and separate waste collection, for school students of all levels.