Raffaella De Piano
Ph.D. student
+39.089.964026
Academic Curriculum
Raffaella De Piano graduated in Chemical Engineering in the academic year 2018/2019 in the department of Industrial Engineering in University of Salerno. From June 2020 to September 2020 she has collaborated with the department with a research scholarship “Analysys of the effect of the ions on polyelectrolyte hydrogels behavior”. In her master thesis “Modeling of polyelectrolyte hydrogels” has focused her attention on the behavior of anionic hydrogels in steady state conditions and she is actually studying the behavior of the same hydrogels considering a transitory system. In November 2020 she has begun her PhD degree in the Department of Industrial Engineering, the title of the research is “Advanced drug delivery system based on hydrogel and nanoparticles: characterization and modeling of their behavior”.
She has published together with the research group two scientific work:
“Modeling the modified drug release from curved shape drug delivery systems-Dome Matrix” published in 2017 and concerning the work she has focused on during her bachelor thesis;
“Drug release from hydrogel-based matrix systems partially coated: experiments and modeling”.
Theses
Master thesis
- Raffaella De Piano, Modellazione del comportamento di idrogel polielettrolitici, Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Chimica, matricola: 0622200520, data di discussione: 19/12/2019, Relatore(i): Prof. Ing. Gaetano Lamberti, correlatore(i): Ing. Diego Caccavo, estratto della tesi, tesi completa
Bachelor thesis
- Raffaella De Piano, Simulazione del rilascio di farmaci da matrici convenzionali e Dome Matrix, Laurea in Ingegneria Chimica, matricola: 0612200874, data di discussione: 12/05/2016, Relatore(i): Prof. Ing. Gaetano Lamberti, correlatore(i): Ing. Diego Caccavo, estratto della tesi, tesi completa, Presentazione Youtube
Publications
2026
Piano, Raffaella De; Barra, Francesco; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Design of pH‑sensitive alginate–carbopol hydrogel patches for wound healing applications Journal Article
In: International Journal of Pharmaceutics, vol. 688, 2026.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Hydrogel, Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling
@article{nokey,
title = {Design of pH‑sensitive alginate\textendashcarbopol hydrogel patches for wound healing applications},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Francesco Barra and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517325013067?via%3Dihub},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.126469},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-20},
urldate = {2026-01-20},
journal = {International Journal of Pharmaceutics},
volume = {688},
abstract = {Smart wound dressings capable of responding to environmental stimuli of biological origin offer a promising strategy for infection management and accelerated healing. In this work, pH-sensitive hydrogel patches composed of alginate and Carbopol were developed for controlled release of a model antiseptic ingredient, the methylene blue agent. The systems were designed aiming to remain stable under acidic conditions (pH 5), favorable to wound healing, and to undergo swelling, erosion, and drug release under alkaline conditions (pH 8), which are typically associated with bacterial infection. Experimental characterization included swelling, erosion, and release studies under static (constant pH) and dynamically changing pH conditions. The realized composite patches showed minimal release at pH 5 and a rapid, complete release of methylene blue at pH 8, driven by pHinduced erosion. Then, a mathematical model was developed to describe the system’s behavior and successfully reproduced experimental data using a minimal set of adjustable parameters. The mathematical modeling approach adopted in this study was able to describe the experimental release kinetics with good accuracy when all kinetic rate constants were optimally fitted to the data confirming the erosion controlled release. These results highlight the potential of Carbopol\textendashalginate composites as effective pH-responsive wound dressings demonstrating controlled pH-triggered release behavior.},
keywords = {Hydrogel, Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Smart wound dressings capable of responding to environmental stimuli of biological origin offer a promising strategy for infection management and accelerated healing. In this work, pH-sensitive hydrogel patches composed of alginate and Carbopol were developed for controlled release of a model antiseptic ingredient, the methylene blue agent. The systems were designed aiming to remain stable under acidic conditions (pH 5), favorable to wound healing, and to undergo swelling, erosion, and drug release under alkaline conditions (pH 8), which are typically associated with bacterial infection. Experimental characterization included swelling, erosion, and release studies under static (constant pH) and dynamically changing pH conditions. The realized composite patches showed minimal release at pH 5 and a rapid, complete release of methylene blue at pH 8, driven by pHinduced erosion. Then, a mathematical model was developed to describe the system’s behavior and successfully reproduced experimental data using a minimal set of adjustable parameters. The mathematical modeling approach adopted in this study was able to describe the experimental release kinetics with good accuracy when all kinetic rate constants were optimally fitted to the data confirming the erosion controlled release. These results highlight the potential of Carbopol–alginate composites as effective pH-responsive wound dressings demonstrating controlled pH-triggered release behavior.
2025
Caccavo, Diego; Piano, Raffaella De; Broegg, Luca; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Optimization of Nanoliposomes Production using a Coaxial Jet Mixer: a Response Surface Modeling Approach Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Transaction, vol. 118, 2025.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: liposome, liposomes, nanoliposome, nanoliposomes delivery systems
@article{Caccavo2025,
title = {Optimization of Nanoliposomes Production using a Coaxial Jet Mixer: a Response Surface Modeling Approach},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Raffaella {De Piano} and Luca Broegg and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti },
url = {https://www.cetjournal.it/cet/25/118/050.pdf},
doi = {10.3303/CET25118050},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-11},
urldate = {2025-08-11},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Transaction},
volume = {118},
abstract = {Liposomes are vesicular structures capable of encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients or other compounds. A thorough understanding of their physical properties is essential for optimizing their application potential. In this work, liposomes were produced using ethanol, with phosphatidylcholine from soy lecithin processed via a coaxial jet mixer. The study investigated the effect of key operating parameters\textemdashethanol flow rate, water flow rate, and phosphatidylcholine concentration\textemdashon four experimental responses: Z-Average, Polydispersity Index (PDI), Main Intensity Peak Size, and Zeta Potential. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize the experimental plan, minimizing the number of trials compared to a full factorial design. Measurements performed using a Zetasizer enabled the development of predictive models for the selected responses. Modeling results, based on a univariate analysis and a top-down approach, showed that within the explored parameter range, Z-Average was primarily influenced by the inner flow rate and phosphatidylcholine concentration. These parameters also significantly affected the Zeta Potential, while water flow rate had the least impact on the responses. To achieve smaller liposomes, the results indicate the need for low phosphatidylcholine concentrations combined with high inner flow rates.},
keywords = {liposome, liposomes, nanoliposome, nanoliposomes delivery systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Liposomes are vesicular structures capable of encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients or other compounds. A thorough understanding of their physical properties is essential for optimizing their application potential. In this work, liposomes were produced using ethanol, with phosphatidylcholine from soy lecithin processed via a coaxial jet mixer. The study investigated the effect of key operating parameters—ethanol flow rate, water flow rate, and phosphatidylcholine concentration—on four experimental responses: Z-Average, Polydispersity Index (PDI), Main Intensity Peak Size, and Zeta Potential. A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize the experimental plan, minimizing the number of trials compared to a full factorial design. Measurements performed using a Zetasizer enabled the development of predictive models for the selected responses. Modeling results, based on a univariate analysis and a top-down approach, showed that within the explored parameter range, Z-Average was primarily influenced by the inner flow rate and phosphatidylcholine concentration. These parameters also significantly affected the Zeta Potential, while water flow rate had the least impact on the responses. To achieve smaller liposomes, the results indicate the need for low phosphatidylcholine concentrations combined with high inner flow rates.
2024
Piano, Raffaella De; Caccavo, Diego; Cascone, Sara; Festa, Caterina; Lamberti, Gaetano; Barba, Anna Angela
Drug release from hydrogel-based matrix systems partially coated: experiments and modeling Journal Article
In: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, vol. 61, no. 102146, 2024, ISBN: 17732247.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: drug release, Modeling, Tablets, Theophylline
@article{Piano}2024,
title = {Drug release from hydrogel-based matrix systems partially coated: experiments and modeling},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Diego Caccavo and Sara Cascone and Caterina Festa and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba },
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092403044\&doi=10.1016%2fj.jddst.2020.102146\&partnerID=40\&md5=e519d84642480478a063b4c7b4e2832e},
doi = {10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102146},
isbn = {17732247},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-05-01},
urldate = {2024-05-01},
journal = {Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology},
volume = {61},
number = {102146},
abstract = {Hydrogel-based matrix systems are largely used as controlled drug delivery systems, since it is possible to get the desired drug release profile properly designing the system in term of composition, drug loading and shape. Meanwhile, the mathematical modeling of the phenomena involved in the drug release process is a useful tool to understand and to predict the complex behavior of these systems, in term of water up-take, matrix swelling and erosion, drug diffusion and release. Furthermore, the coating of the matrix is used to provide certain characteristics such as enteric resistance, meanwhile making more complex the mathematical description of the process. In this work cylindrical tablets made of hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) loaded with theophylline (TP), as obtained or coated by an impermeable painting on the lateral surface were dissolved in a USP II apparatus, and the release of TP, as well as of HPMC and the shape changes were monitored in time, for several rotational speeds of the impeller. The experimental data gathered were used to tune a previously proposed mathematical model. The model was found able to correctly describe all the observed phenomena, confirming its usefulness as a tool in design and production of pharmaceutics.},
keywords = {drug release, Modeling, Tablets, Theophylline},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hydrogel-based matrix systems are largely used as controlled drug delivery systems, since it is possible to get the desired drug release profile properly designing the system in term of composition, drug loading and shape. Meanwhile, the mathematical modeling of the phenomena involved in the drug release process is a useful tool to understand and to predict the complex behavior of these systems, in term of water up-take, matrix swelling and erosion, drug diffusion and release. Furthermore, the coating of the matrix is used to provide certain characteristics such as enteric resistance, meanwhile making more complex the mathematical description of the process. In this work cylindrical tablets made of hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) loaded with theophylline (TP), as obtained or coated by an impermeable painting on the lateral surface were dissolved in a USP II apparatus, and the release of TP, as well as of HPMC and the shape changes were monitored in time, for several rotational speeds of the impeller. The experimental data gathered were used to tune a previously proposed mathematical model. The model was found able to correctly describe all the observed phenomena, confirming its usefulness as a tool in design and production of pharmaceutics.
2023
Piano, Raffaella De; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Polyelectrolyte hydrogels in biological systems: Modeling of swelling and deswelling behavior Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Science, vol. 279, no. 118959, 2023, ISSN: 00092509.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biological systems, Equilibrium, Hydrogels, Modeling, Polyelectrolytes
@article{Piano}2023b,
title = {Polyelectrolyte hydrogels in biological systems: Modeling of swelling and deswelling behavior},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85161532217\&doi=10.1016%2fj.ces.2023.118959\&partnerID=40\&md5=a269515dd96617e9242f75711516e847},
doi = {10.1016/j.ces.2023.118959},
issn = {00092509},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-09-05},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Science},
volume = {279},
number = {118959},
abstract = {Polyelectrolyte hydrogels are a particular class of hydrogel whose behavior is connected to the variation of pH in the surrounding solution. Their behavior is influenced by the ionizable groups present on their chain. These groups could be acid or basic and polyelectrolytes could be anionic or cationic. To fully understand their behavior mathematical modeling has been widely used over many years. In this work a model based on a monophasic approach will be used to describe a general behavior of anionic hydrogels in a steady state condition at pH lower (or equal) to seven. Free swelling experiments and constrained swelling experiments have been simulated varying the parameters of the model to highlight the properties of the material. From a comparison with experimental data, it results that the proposed model can describe the general behavior of the system as described in the literature.},
keywords = {Biological systems, Equilibrium, Hydrogels, Modeling, Polyelectrolytes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Polyelectrolyte hydrogels are a particular class of hydrogel whose behavior is connected to the variation of pH in the surrounding solution. Their behavior is influenced by the ionizable groups present on their chain. These groups could be acid or basic and polyelectrolytes could be anionic or cationic. To fully understand their behavior mathematical modeling has been widely used over many years. In this work a model based on a monophasic approach will be used to describe a general behavior of anionic hydrogels in a steady state condition at pH lower (or equal) to seven. Free swelling experiments and constrained swelling experiments have been simulated varying the parameters of the model to highlight the properties of the material. From a comparison with experimental data, it results that the proposed model can describe the general behavior of the system as described in the literature.
Piano, Raffaella De; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Hydrogel: pH Role on Polyelectrolyte Behaviour in Aqueous Media Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Transactions, vol. 100, pp. 397-402, 2023, ISSN: 22839216.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Hydrogel, Polyelectrolyte Behaviour
@article{Piano}2023,
title = {Hydrogel: pH Role on Polyelectrolyte Behaviour in Aqueous Media},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
doi = {10.3303/CET23100067},
issn = {22839216},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-30},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Transactions},
volume = {100},
pages = {397-402},
abstract = {Polyelectrolytes are a class of polymer whose swelling depends on the external condition of pH. The dissociation of the ionizable groups is strongly depended on the concentration of the H+ ions in solution and this leads to different swelling behaviour changing the external pH. Since these materials are versatile and used in various fields, an in-depth knowledge of their behaviour becomes important to use them appropriately. The present work aims to offer an overview of the behaviour of these materials in solution through an experimental and a steady state modelling part. The results serve as a fundamental basis to understand the behaviour of these systems, including transient periods, leading to a comprehensive and predictable description.},
keywords = {Hydrogel, Polyelectrolyte Behaviour},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Polyelectrolytes are a class of polymer whose swelling depends on the external condition of pH. The dissociation of the ionizable groups is strongly depended on the concentration of the H+ ions in solution and this leads to different swelling behaviour changing the external pH. Since these materials are versatile and used in various fields, an in-depth knowledge of their behaviour becomes important to use them appropriately. The present work aims to offer an overview of the behaviour of these materials in solution through an experimental and a steady state modelling part. The results serve as a fundamental basis to understand the behaviour of these systems, including transient periods, leading to a comprehensive and predictable description.
2022
Piano, Raffaella De; Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; Lamberti, Gaetano
Anionic hydrogels: equilibrium behaviour modelling Proceedings Article
In: CHISA - Prague (Czech Republic), 2022.
BibTeX | Tags: Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling
@inproceedings{Piano}2022,
title = {Anionic hydrogels: equilibrium behaviour modelling},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Gaetano Lamberti},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-23},
booktitle = {CHISA - Prague (Czech Republic)},
keywords = {Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
2020
Piano, Raffaella De; Caccavo, Diego; Cascone, Sara; Festa, Caterina; Lamberti, Gaetano; Barba, Anna Angela
Drug release from hydrogel-based matrix systems partially coated: experiments and modeling Journal Article
In: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: drug release, Modeling, Tablets, Theophylline
@article{Piano}2020,
title = {Drug release from hydrogel-based matrix systems partially coated: experiments and modeling},
author = {Raffaella {De Piano} and Diego Caccavo and Sara Cascone and Caterina Festa and Gaetano Lamberti and Anna Angela Barba},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1773224720314350?via%3Dihub},
doi = {10.1016/j.jddst.2020.102146},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-07},
journal = {Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology},
abstract = {Hydrogel-based matrix systems are largely used as controlled drug delivery systems, since it is possible to get the desired drug release profile properly designing the system in term of composition, drug loading and shape. Meanwhile, the mathematical modeling of the phenomena involved in the drug release process is a useful tool to understand and to predict the complex behavior of these systems, in term of water up-take, matrix swelling and erosion, drug diffusion and release. Furthermore, the coating of the matrix is used to provide certain characteristics such as enteric resistance, meanwhile making more complex the mathematical description of the process. In this work cylindrical tablets made of hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) loaded with theophylline (TP), as obtained or coated by an impermeable painting on the lateral surface were dissolved in a USP II apparatus, and the release of TP, as well as of HPMC and the shape changes were monitored in time, for several rotational speeds of the impeller. The experimental data gathered were used to tune a previously proposed mathematical model. The model was found able to correctly describe all the observed phenomena, confirming its usefulness as a tool in design and production of pharmaceutics.},
keywords = {drug release, Modeling, Tablets, Theophylline},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hydrogel-based matrix systems are largely used as controlled drug delivery systems, since it is possible to get the desired drug release profile properly designing the system in term of composition, drug loading and shape. Meanwhile, the mathematical modeling of the phenomena involved in the drug release process is a useful tool to understand and to predict the complex behavior of these systems, in term of water up-take, matrix swelling and erosion, drug diffusion and release. Furthermore, the coating of the matrix is used to provide certain characteristics such as enteric resistance, meanwhile making more complex the mathematical description of the process. In this work cylindrical tablets made of hydroxyl-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) loaded with theophylline (TP), as obtained or coated by an impermeable painting on the lateral surface were dissolved in a USP II apparatus, and the release of TP, as well as of HPMC and the shape changes were monitored in time, for several rotational speeds of the impeller. The experimental data gathered were used to tune a previously proposed mathematical model. The model was found able to correctly describe all the observed phenomena, confirming its usefulness as a tool in design and production of pharmaceutics.
2017
Caccavo, Diego; Barba, Anna Angela; D'Amore, Matteo; Piano, Raffaella De; Lamberti, Gaetano; Rossi, Alessandra; Colombo, Paolo
Modeling the modified drug release from curved shape drug delivery systems - Dome Matrix® Journal Article
In: European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, vol. 121, pp. 24-31, 2017, ISSN: 0939-6411.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling
@article{Caccavo2017b,
title = {Modeling the modified drug release from curved shape drug delivery systems - Dome Matrix®},
author = {Diego Caccavo and Anna Angela Barba and Matteo D'Amore and Raffaella {De Piano} and Gaetano Lamberti and Alessandra Rossi and Paolo Colombo},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939641117308366},
doi = {10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.08.016},
issn = {0939-6411},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-01},
journal = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics},
volume = {121},
pages = {24-31},
abstract = {The controlled drug release from hydrogel-based drug delivery systems is a topic of large interest for research in pharmacology. The mathematical modeling of the behavior of these systems is a tool of emerging relevance, since the simulations can be of use in the design of novel systems, in particular for complex shaped tablets. In this work a model, previously developed, was applied to complex-shaped oral drug delivery systems based on hydrogels (Dome Matrix®). Furthermore, the model was successfully adopted in the description of drug release from partially accessible Dome Matrix® systems (systems with some surfaces coated). In these simulations, the erosion rate was used as a fitting parameter, and its dependence upon the surface area/volume ratio and upon the local fluid dynamics was discussed. The model parameters were determined by comparison with the drug release profile from a cylindrical tablet, then the model was successfully used for the prediction of the drug release from a Dome Matrix® system, for simple module configuration and for module assembled (void and piled) configurations. It was also demonstrated that, given the same initial S/V ratio, the drug release is independent upon the shape of the tablets but it is only influenced by the S/V evolution. The model reveals itself able to describe the observed phenomena, and thus it can be of use for the design of oral drug delivery systems, even if complex shaped.},
keywords = {Hydrogel Characterization, Hydrogel Modeling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The controlled drug release from hydrogel-based drug delivery systems is a topic of large interest for research in pharmacology. The mathematical modeling of the behavior of these systems is a tool of emerging relevance, since the simulations can be of use in the design of novel systems, in particular for complex shaped tablets. In this work a model, previously developed, was applied to complex-shaped oral drug delivery systems based on hydrogels (Dome Matrix®). Furthermore, the model was successfully adopted in the description of drug release from partially accessible Dome Matrix® systems (systems with some surfaces coated). In these simulations, the erosion rate was used as a fitting parameter, and its dependence upon the surface area/volume ratio and upon the local fluid dynamics was discussed. The model parameters were determined by comparison with the drug release profile from a cylindrical tablet, then the model was successfully used for the prediction of the drug release from a Dome Matrix® system, for simple module configuration and for module assembled (void and piled) configurations. It was also demonstrated that, given the same initial S/V ratio, the drug release is independent upon the shape of the tablets but it is only influenced by the S/V evolution. The model reveals itself able to describe the observed phenomena, and thus it can be of use for the design of oral drug delivery systems, even if complex shaped.