I am a researcher at the Institute of Matter Structure of the National Research Council, in the group of Dr. Mattea Carmen Castrovilli. My research concerns electrochemical (bio)sensor design, from production to application, e.g. for detecting pollutants, chemical weapons, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Currently, I am studing innovative methods for the gaseous phase deposition of sensing molecules on electrodes, characterised by superior sustainability and outstanding stability. Relevant publications: -Colozza N. et al 2022. An origami paper-based electrochemical biosensing platform for quality control of agri-food waste in the valorization strategy. Microchim Acta 189(8), 311 -Colozza N. et al 2021. Vertical-flow paper sensor for on-site and prompt evaluation of chloride contamination in concrete structures. Anal Chem 93(43), 14369-14374 -Colozza N. et al 2019. A wearable origami-like paper-based electrochemical biosensor for sulfur mustard detection in liquid and aerosol phase. Biosens Bioelectron 129, 15-23 -Castrovilli M.C. et al 2022. Fabrication of a New, Low-Cost, and Environment-Friendly Laccase-Based Biosensor by Electrospray Immobilization with Unprecedented Reuse and Storage Performances, ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2022, 10(5), 1888-1898 -Castrovilli M.C. et al 2023. Improved reuse and storage performances at room temperature of a new environmentally friendly lactate oxidase biosensor prepared by ambient electrospray immobilization, Green Chem 25(13), 5257–5266
Topic 1. Enhancement of water circularity in industries
Topic 3. Resource recovery and valorization
Topic 4. Economic, environmental and social implications of water reuse and recovered products
We want to upgrade the quality of industrial water management through the synergy among i) sustainable monitoring of priority pollutants (our expertise), ii) wastewater treatment, iii) theoretical studies, iv) Life Cycle Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment, v) test in real wastewater streams. Groups that work in these fields are welcome to our Consortium. Project aim: To bridge the gap between the current limitations of water management systems in industry and the need for efficient monitoring to enable timely treatment interventions. About our expertise: We have solid experience in developing customised (bio)sensors to detect target analytes. We believe that the continuous inline monitoring of pollutants in wastewater is the fundamental step for the rational management of industrial waters. Thus, we designed low-cost electrochemical eco-friendly sensors based on metal-phthalocyanines with high electrocatalytic properties and tunable specificity. These phthalocyanines were ad hoc synthesised to overperform analogue sensing molecules in terms of superior sustainability (one-step synthesis with green reagents, no need for hazardous solvents) and applicability in the sensor field (easy deposition on the electrode). In preliminary tests for phenol detection, we obtained outstanding stability over hundreds of wash cycles. In this project, we aim to extend the applicability of our approach to other priority pollutants, e.g. pesticides, organosulfurs, pharmaceuticals.
wastewater management, pollutant monitoring, electrochemical sensors, green methodology, sustainability, circular economy, life cycle assessment