Pascal Tomasella
Tutor: Giovanni LI DESTRI NICOSIA
Pascal Tomasella, born in 1997, received his master’s degree in chemical sciences, curriculum Biomolecular Chemistry (110 cum laude) from the University of Catania in 2022, discussing a thesis entitled ‘GRAPHENE OXIDE-BASED SURFACES TO FIGHT BIOCONTAMINATION’. In the period prior to his graduation, he carried out a three-month internship at the Institute of Biophysics of the Department of Nanobiotechnology at BOKU University in Vienna, under the supervision of Prof. Jose Luis Toca-Herrera, in which he conducted studies on the physico-chemical and antibacterial properties of some graphene oxide derivatives. Since 31 October 2022, he has been a PhD student in Chemical Sciences at the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, under the supervision of Prof. Giovanni Li Destri. During his PhD period, PT developed his skills in the study of interfacial processes outside thermodynamic equilibrium, participating in several experiments at synchrotrons (ESRF and SOLEIL) and neutron sources (ISIS), learning to master the use of X-ray or neutron scattering techniques for the structural characterization of thin films at fluid interfaces. In the period June-December 2024, PT was a visiting PhD student at the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the University of Münster, under the supervision of Prof. Björn Braunschweig, where he developed the project “SFG-VS INVESTIGATION OF PROTEIN-BASED NANOHYBRIDS AT AIR-WATER INTERFACE”. Currently, PT is a doctoral student representative on the Departmental Council of Chemical Sciences and has been a co-supervisor of bachelor’s theses in Chemistry and master’s theses in Chemical Sciences.
[27.03.2025]
Thesis title: Investigation of Structure, Stability and Forces of Nanoparticles Assembled at Liquid Interfaces
Keywords: Soft matter, Surface and interface, Out-of-equilibrium processes, X-ray scattering, Neutron scattering
Abstract: The out-of-equilibrium assembly of nanoparticles at fluid interfaces is a widely used tool to enhance the stability of emulsions and foams due to the irreversibility of the resulting monolayers. This project aims to shed light on the mechanisms governing the adsorption and stabilization of model nanoparticle monolayers through a combination of advanced X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. Additionally, part of the project is dedicated to the development of more sustainable and "green" systems is explored by using proteins to modulate the interfacial assembly of nanoparticles.
Stay abroad: from 16/06/2024 to 14/12/2024, Institute of Physical Chemistry – University of Münster.
