Alan Tonelli

About

Professor Alan Tonelli’s research interests include the conformations, configurations, and structures of synthetic and biological polymers, their determination by NMR, and establishing their effects on the physical properties of polymers. He has pursued the formation and study of molecular composites formed by embedding inclusion compounds (ICs) between host cyclic starches (cyclodextrins, CDs) containing 6 (α), 7 (β), and 8 (γ) glucose units and polymer or small molecule guests into polymer fibers and films, followed by the release and coalescence of the guest into the carrier polymer phase. His work aims to develop new fabrication methods that enable the delivery of various additives to polymer fibers and films, which he considers superior to current technologies. Professor Tonelli has demonstrated that CDs can act as hosts in the formation of inclusion compounds with guest polymers, resulting in crystalline materials with unique morphologies and properties. His studies include analyzing the motional parameters of polymer-CD-ICs using NMR techniques, exploring the structural reorganization during coalescence, and creating well-mixed polymer blends from CD-ICs. His recent focus involves characterizing the microstructural elements of synthetic polymers using 13C-NMR and Kerr-Effect examination, which allows for the determination of complete molecular architectures. His work has significant implications for developing polymer materials with enhanced or novel properties,…

Research topics

• Nanotechnology
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Materials science
• Medicine
• Biomedical engineering

Selected publications

• Chitosan based bioadhesives for biomedical applications: A review

  Carbohydrate Polymers · 2022 · 261 citations

  PublisherDOI

• Cyclodextrin-based nanostructures

  Progress in Materials Science · 2021 · 111 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Chitosan/Graphene Oxide Composite Films and Their Biomedical and Drug Delivery Applications: A Review

  Applied Sciences · 2021-08-24 · 38 citations

  reviewOpen accessCorresponding

  The healing of wounds is still a challenging clinical problem for which an efficient and fast treatment is needed. Therefore, recent studies have created a new generation of wound dressings that can accelerate the wound healing process with minimal side effects. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, is an attractive candidate for preparing biocompatible dressings. The biodegradability, non-toxicity, and antibacterial activities of chitosan have made it a promising biopolymer for treating wounds. Graph…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effect of clinoptilolite on structure and drug release behavior of chitosan/thyme oil <scp>γ‐Cyclodextrin</scp> inclusion compound hydrogels

  Journal of Applied Polymer Science · 2020-08-30 · 15 citations

  articleCorresponding

  Abstract Chitosan‐based hydrogels involving γ‐cyclodextrin inclusion compounds of thyme oil were prepared by freeze–thaw cycling method. Clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite was added to investigate its effects on the structural, mechanical, and drug release behaviors of the hydrogels. Zeolite compressed the structure and improved mechanical properties, which decreased swelling values. Release of thyme oil in prepared hydrogels were investigated by UV spectroscopy and drug release mechanism was e…

  PublisherDOI

• Delivery of pharmaceuticals and other active ingredients with their crystalline cyclodextrin inclusion compounds

  International Journal of Pharmaceutics · 2020-09-06 · 12 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Characterization of Polymers with the Kerr-Effect

  NSF · $360k · 2010–2014

Frequent coauthors

• Frederic C. Schilling

  North Carolina State University

  74 shared

• Marián A. Gómez-Fatou

  Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

  68 shared

• Cristian C. Rusa

  Norfolk State University

  57 shared

• Marcus A. Hunt

  44 shared

• Jialong Shen

  Guilin University of Technology

  37 shared

• I. D. Shin

  Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

  35 shared

• Mariana Rusa

  Norfolk State University

  33 shared

• C. M. Balik

  32 shared

Awards & honors

• American Chemical Society – National Counselor
• American Chemical Society – Tour speaker
• North Carolina Polymer Group of the American Chemical Societ…

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