Mineralogy

Staff

Prof. P. Cappelletti, Prof. A. Langella, Prof. G. Balassone, Prof. N. Mondillo, Dr. A. Colella, Dr. F. Izzo, Dr. M. Rossi

PhD students: M. Muslim (XXXIX Cycle)

DiSTAR researchers carry out their research in the field of basic mineralogy in relation to crystal chemistry, structural complexity and systematics of different groups of silicates and non-silicates, minerals containing base metals and rare earths, biominerals, gems, etc.

The research activity is developed on the following topics:

• Study of induced and controlled biomineralization processes
• Identification and characterization of gems and precious stones by means of multianalytical approach (ER-FTIR, Raman, OM, SEM-EDS, LIBS, LA-ICP-MS).
• Mineralogical investigations in the Forensic field
• Study of the processes of interaction between minerals, microplastics and microfibers; development of green methodologies for their characterization; interaction with organic matter (vegetable and animal).
• Mineralogical analysis of the clay fraction constituting landslide deposits
• Geotraceability of agri-food productions
• Mineralogical characterization of geopolymers and associated raw materials
• Characterization of one- and two-dimensional nanomaterials.
• Characterization of phosphates doped with REEs.
• Characterization of minerals from volcanic areas of Campania

Main collaborations

• Prof. D. Bish.: Chemistry Department, Indiana University Bloomington (USA)
• Prof. D. Gatta: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Milan
• Prof. D. Baldantoni: Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno
• Prof. M. Mercurio and Prof. F. De Nicola: Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio (Benevento)
• ZEOCEL Italia (Pisa)
• Prof. G. Cultrone: Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Universidad de Granada (Spain)
• Oromare Centro Orafo Produttivi, Marcianise (Caserta)
• Paolo Minieri & C. SAS, Gemme dal 1929, Oromare (CE), Tarì (CE) and Borgo Orefici (NA)
• Natural and Physical Sciences Museum Center, University of Studies of Naples Federico II (Naples)
• Inza (International Natural Zeolites Association)
• Dr. A. Kalman: University of Miami
• Prof. Oreste Tarallo: Department of Chemistry, University of Naples Federico II (Naples)
• Prof. Carlo Altucci: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II (Naples)
• Dr. Francesco Capitelli and Dr. Viviana Scognamiglio: Institute of Crystallography CNR, Monterotondo, Rome
• Dr. Rosanna Rizzi: Institute of Crystallography CNR, Bari
• Prof. Marco Guida: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II (Naples)
• Dr. Massimo Russo: Vesuvius Observatory, INGV, Campi Flegrei, Naples