Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Systems for Leather Tanning – 40° PhD Cycle
This project is primarily focused on the research and design of innovative and sustainable alternatives to conventional leather tanning methods. The main goal is to establish more eco-friendly processes, reducing environmental impact and improving safety for human health. Traditional tanning techniques, such as mineral tanning (especially chrome-based processes) and vegetable tanning, have been widely used for decades due to their efficiency and ability to produce durable leather. However, these methods are increasingly considered inadequate in the context of modern sustainability challenges. Chrome tanning, in particular, involves the use of heavy metals that pose risks of toxicity and environmental contamination, while vegetable tanning often requires large quantities of plant extracts and long processing times, which can limit industrial scalability and resource efficiency. In response to these limitations, the present project aims to explore bio-based and renewable materials as sustainable alternatives for tanning and re-tanning applications. In particular, lignocellulosic biomass , one of the most abundant renewable resources on Earth, will serve as a key raw material for the development of innovative tanning agents and crosslinking systems compatible with collagen fibers.
Conference Contribution
- Poster Communication, Supramolecolar Chemistry Days for Young Researchers 2025, 11-13 giugno 2025
- Flash Communication, Il contributo dei giovani chimici in Campania 2025, 3-4 luglio 2025
- XLII Convegno della divisione di Chimica Organica (CDCO 2025), 21-25 settembre 2025
- Poster Communication, Suschem’25 Workshop, 8-10 ottobre 2025
Synthesis of bio-based products and study of their applications – 39° PhD Cycle
In the last decade, a growing interest in bio-based products has been observed, which are useful to obtain chemical building blocks. Bio-based products are obtained from renewable feedstocks like algae, plants and organic waste, and are a green alternative to fossil resources, to reduce environmental impact. In fact, the use of bio-based products offers several advantages and can be an effective means of achieving net-zero CO2 emission. Among the renewable resources used to obtain bio-based products, a crucial role is played by biomass; more specifically, the term biomass refers to any organic material derived directly or indirectly from chlorophyl photosynthesis (produced by living organisms and their metabolites). Particularly relevant is biomass in both its lignocellulosic and algal forms. In fact, these types of biomasses are ideal to produce biopolymers, polymeric materials that are a green alternative to traditional plastic materials. So, the aim of this PhD project is to investigate the possibility of using this kind of biomass to produce novel building blocks and products that can be utilized in the synthesis of chemicals which can be used in industrial application.
Conference Contribution
- Poster Communication in XVI Italian Conference on Supramolecular Chemistry – Pavia, 10-13 settembre 2024
- Short Presentation in Supramolecular Chemistry Days for Young Researchers – Fisciano, 11-13 giugno 2025
- Short Presentation in “Il Contributo dei Giovani Chimici in Campania” – Fisciano, 3-4 luglio 2025
- Poster Communication in XLII National Congress of the Organic Chemistry Revision – Cagliari, 21-25 settembre 2025
