Themed collection Environmental Science: Nano Recent Review Articles

A roadmap of micromotors as moving fighters against the spread of antibiotic resistance factors in water.

Oil spills frequently cause devastating impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities.

With the development of nuclear power and the nuclear industry, some uranium-containing wastewater will inevitably be released into the environment, which poses a threat to human health and the environment.

With the development of industrialization, the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are steadily increasing, posing a significant risk to atmospheric quality and public health.

Both nanozymes (cerium oxide) and natural enzymes can destroy toxic organophosphates (pesticide paraoxon ethyl) using analogous reaction mechanisms.

There are numerous opportunities for nanomaterials and nanotechnology to support circular economy adoption. In this perspective, we present the important role engineered nanomaterials can play in advancing the circularity of bulk composite materials.

Following available approaches included e.g., in existing OECD Test Guidelines and Guidance Documents for the aquatic testing of particulate materials such as nanomaterials and microplastics leads to various challenges to be considered.

This perspective illuminates the crucial need to consider gas feedstock purity and source when designing new electrified CO₂ conversion nanomaterials.

This perspective aims to shed light on the transformative potential of sustainable synthesis in guiding the transition towards circular economy conceptions in the nanotechnology domain.

Recycling of non-product outputs containing substantial amounts of rare elements originating in nanomaterial syntheses is relatively attractive as rare elements tend to be more valuable than abundant elements.

Engineered nanomaterials are increasingly being used in a range of applications; it is important to characterize bacterial response to these novel materials.

This article discusses critical issues and opportunities in nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety (nanoEHS) research from the perspective of many U.S. NEHI agencies.

Drawing the picture of the opportunities and challenges of using in vitro data to calculate effect factors in LCA.

Fragmentation of plastic waste in the environment can lead to the formation of nanoscale plastic debris (NPD) of size < 1 μm.

Design, use, and recyclability of carbon nanomaterials in membranes provide new opportunities for advancing separation applications.

FRAME: Framework for Relevance And Methods Evaluation.

By comprehensively analyzing and discussing the application progress, environmental behavior and ecotoxicology of palladium-based nanomaterials (Pd-NMs), guidelines are provided for the sustainable development of Pd-NMs.

Nanobioremediation systems harness microbial versatility with synthetic and natural nanomaterials to efficiently remove hazardous contaminants, offering a sustainable and effective approach through novel technologies for environmental protection.

Amidst the ongoing urbanization process, the significance of urban agriculture has garnered increasing attention.

Graphene-based composites have been widely applied in environmental remediation owing to their high removal capacity.

CDs in sustainable agricultural production can significantly aid in meeting global food demand while maintaining environmental resilience.

Diagram of components of controlled- and sustained-release micro/nanocarriers of pesticide: nanomaterials and stimuli-responsive triggers (R stands for different groups).

In this review article, key factors about the 2D MXene nanomaterials in electrochemical and biomedical applications have been reviewed and discussed.

The removal of gases, organics, heavy metals and radionuclides on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs).

The halloysite clay nanotube lumen has shown great application potential in the field of environmental remediation. This relies on delicate manipulation of the clay nanotube lumen and benefits from the unique functionality of the nanotube lumen.

This review highlights the characteristics of adsorption and desorption of aromatic VOCs on various PCAs as well as the integrated technologies for emission control and resource recovery of industrial VOC exhaust.

Strategies to improve the photocatalytic activity of PDI are summarized. The system factor and water chemistry affecting the photocatalytic activity for organic pollutant removal are discussed. The stability and future challenges are discussed.

Membranes have become a basis in tackling the global challenge of freshwater scarcity, notably in the fields of desalination and water purification.

An optimum application of NPs can mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses, but overuse can cause phytotoxicity. Research on the use of NPs for plant stress is demonstrating promising benefits.

The balanced presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) offers essential nutritional properties, whereas an excessive amount of nZnO can trigger ecotoxicity, both at the cellular and individual levels.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are chemically reactive following abiotic and biotic weathering processes. These weathered NPs have the potential to facilitate the transformation of legacy contaminants, such as heavy metals.

The buildup of microplastics (MPs)/nanoplastics (NPs) in the aquatic biota has sparked concern owing to their negative consequences on human health and the environment, making it a global issue in recent years.

MXene, a type of two-dimensional material, has garnered significant interest as a promising next-generation membrane material. This work elucidates the modification strategies employed by MXene-based membranes and evaluates their performances.

Nanozymes, as an emerging class of biomimetic enzymes, not only inherit the unique properties of nanomaterials but also endow them with catalytic functions that are similar to biological enzymes.

This review comprehensively summarizes and discusses the recent advances in MXene-based electrochemical environmental pollutant sensing by integrating the sensing behavior of MXenes, modular fabrication methods and selectivity improvement strategies.

Photocatalysis is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method to realize the purification of ppb-level NO, and the end-product (nitrate/ammonia) of the photocatalytic NO complete oxidation/reduction reaction can be further recycled.

Mesoporous materials are promising adsorbents and catalysts for gas removal (CO₂, NO_x, and VOCs) due to their advantages including exceptionally high surface area, interconnected pore networks, and superior mass transfer capabilities.

Primary mechanism through which nanomaterials enhance plant photosynthesis.

ESKAPEE pathogens: where we can find them in hospital environments and how to detect them through nanotechnologies devices.

The distinct molecules composing the biological fluids lead to different coronas on NMs, altering their physicochemical properties and affect their biological fate.

The review assesses the distribution of quantum dots (QDs) in aquatic ecosystems, summarizes their possible environmental behavior, and presents the toxicological effects of QDs on aquatic organisms.

This review article focuses on current cosmetic ingredients claiming a nano nature, the unique characteristics of nanomaterials and their behaviour on the skin, how they can be suitable for natural cosmetics and nanocosmetic environmental fate.

The remediation of polluted water via graphene oxide or derived materials has captivated the momentous attention of the scientific community over the past few years.

Abiotic stresses (heavy metals, drought, salinity, etc.) or biotic pathogens (bacteria, fungi, nematodes, etc.) contribute to major losses in crop yields.

This review summarizes the key roles of various vacancy defects in PS-AOPs and provides insights into the understanding of vacancy defect in persulfate activation to promote the development of PS-AOPs in water treatments.

Nanobiotechnology has received tremendous attention in recent years owing to its wide range of applications in various fields.

The synthesis method of metal nanoparticles and the form and application of microbial synthesis of metal nanoparticles.

Nano-bio-formulations for insect pest management.

This review examines the intersection of self-healing materials, biomedicine, and the circular economy, focusing on the challenges, advantages, and future perspectives associated with their implementation.

Hydroxyapatite and MXenes are potentially ideal adsorbents for uranium as a nuclear contaminant possessing radioactivity and chemical toxicity.

This review provides new insights for the development of nanomaterials with potential immunomodulatory effects in plants towards resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses.

Nanotechnology offers a viable solution to enhancing agricultural sustainability by supporting seed germination and crop growth.

This review summarized the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects of Ni-containing NPs on humans, lung cells in vitro, and rodent lungs in vivo, and the underlying mechanisms. Their extra-pulmonary effects were also briefly mentioned.

The critical review covers the applications, associated mechanisms, challenges, and prospects of magnetically recyclable nanophotocatalysts in photocatalysis-related processes.

Carbon nanofibers are a class of lightweight, high-performance composite materials.

Environmental remediation based on peroxomonosulfate- and peroxydisulfate-activation-enabled radical/non-radical oxidation has gained growing interest due to the strong oxidation power, long life of reactive oxygen species, and wide pH adaptability.

This review discusses the characteristics and synthesis methods of Bi-based NPs. It delves into the removal efficiency in wastewater, emphasizing traditional/emerging strategies to enhance the performance, mechanisms, toxicology, and challenges.

Here we made a critical review on nanozyme-involved detection and degradation of environmental pollutants, and the research progress achieved in the last five years was emphatically concluded.

Quantum dots (QD), semiconductor nanoparticles of size <10 nm, have recently emerged as an intriguing field in materials science due to their size-dependent opto-electronic properties, chemical stability, and potential for a wide range of applications.

This review provides insights into key molecular events underlying ENMs toxicity under the dermal exposure scenario and the application of computational modeling tools in predicting the fate and toxicity of ENMs in nano-skin interactions.

The simultaneous use of bio-resources and sustainable materials as reducing/capping agents and supporting materials to obtain supported metal nanoparticles is a significant green approach applied to wastewater treatment.

This review clarifies the translocation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in plants, reveals the molecular mechanisms of toxicity regulation, and emphasizes the potential risks of composite systems of NPs.

A corona of thorns in ENMs dramatically alters the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of ENMs, and as a consequence influences their behavior and fate.

Efficient, sustainable agricultural methods are critical to meet the food requirements of a rapidly growing global population.

Given the rapid growth of nanotechnology, it is essential to know the hazardous effects of metal oxide nanoparticles (MeOx NPs) posed to living organisms within the ecosystem.

To achieve a world without hunger, it is imperative to address the inefficiencies within the current agricultural system by adopting innovative and sustainable approaches.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are gaining considerable interest for various uses ranging from adsorption, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, chemical sensing, catalysis and gas separation.

ZIF-based catalysts have great potential for PMS activation in environmental treatment. State of the art and prospects in recent breakthroughs are presented in this review.

The development of nanotechnology and the widespread application of metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) in various consumer products have released a large number of nanoparticles into soil environment, especially agricultural systems.

Many outbreaks of emerging disease (e.g., avian influenza, COVID-19) are enhanced by the environmental dissemination of viruses. Nanotechnology enabled tools have the potential to detect viruses in complex environmental matrices.