Themed collection Nanocircular Economy Papers 2014-2022
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Inspiring a nanocircular economy
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 839-840
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN90005J
Much ado about α: reframing the debate over appropriate fate descriptors in nanoparticle environmental risk modeling
Mass balance is currently as useful as number balance in nanoparticle risk assessment, even though it ignores particle properties.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2015,2, 27-32
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4EN00170B
Assessing the environmental effects related to quantum dot structure, function, synthesis and exposure
Quantum dots (QDs) have unique properties, which make them valuable in some commercial technologies. This review discusses the major types and applications of QDs, their potential environmental exposures, fates, and adverse effects on organisms.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 867-910
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00712B
Emerging investigator series: connecting concepts of coinage metal stability across length scales
Materials with different dimensions can exhibit markedly different responses to their environment, even for the same material composition.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 2674-2696
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00407F
Graphene analogues in aquatic environments and porous media: dispersion, aggregation, deposition and transformation
The potential extensive application of graphene analogues (GAs), such as graphene, graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide, in various fields results in the possibility of their release into the natural environment with negative impacts on humans and the ecosystem.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 1298-1340
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EN01258F
Real-time monitoring of magnetic nanoparticle-assisted nanoplastic agglomeration and separation from water
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used as remediation agents against nanoplastic pollutants. Magnetic particle spectroscopy is utilized as an advanced characterization method and limits of the approach are highlighted.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2427-2439
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00131D
One-step biosynthesis of a bilayered graphene oxide embedded bacterial nanocellulose hydrogel for versatile photothermal membrane applications
We illustrate the facile one-step biosynthesis of a bilayer structured hydrogel composite of reduced-graphene oxide (rGO) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) for multiple filtration and photothermal water treatment applications.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1639-1650
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00754H
Fluorogenic hyaluronan nanogels for detection of micro- and nanoplastics in water
Nano- and microplastics are polluting the environment and their detection remains elusive. A fluorogenic hyaluronan shows high affinity toward their surfaces, turning brightly emissive, and its lifetime allows discrimination of plastics in nature.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 582-588
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00684C
A novel quantitative read-across tool designed purposefully to fill the existing gaps in nanosafety data
In the current study, we propose a new quantitative read-across methodology for predicting the toxicity of newly synthesized NPs based on the similarity with structural analogues.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 189-203
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00725D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Surface functionalisation-dependent adverse effects of metal nanoparticles and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos
High throughput imaging is used to assess hatching, lethality and malformations in zebrafish embryos and is suitable for hazard ranking of different nanomaterials.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 375-392
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00299F
Degradation of tetracycline over carbon nanosheet: high efficiency, mechanism and biotoxicity assessment
The pollutant Reactive Red 2 is transformed into graphene-like carbon nanosheet (GCN) by simple pyrolysis, and this GCN nanocatalyst is shown to efficiently degrade tetracycline by peroxymonosulfate activation via nonradical oxidation processes.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 3762-3773
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00841B
Biomimetically synthesized luminescent Tb3+-doped fluorapatite/agar nanocomposite for detecting UO22+, Cu2+, and Cr3+ ions
Biodegradable rare earth doped fluorapatite has been developed as a luminescence probe for the detection of both radioactive and nonradioactive ions.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 3711-3721
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00648G
Resolving the organization of CO2 molecules confined in silica nanopores using in situ small-angle neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations
This work quantifies the core–shell structure of nano-confined CO2 molecules under pressure in silica pores using in operando small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements and molecular dynamics simulations.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2006-2018
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01282C
Natural organic matter surface coverage as a predictor of heteroaggregation between nanoparticles and colloids
The rate of heteroaggregation between branched polyethylenimine stabilized gold nanoparticles and a model colloid (glass beads) was correlated with the degree to which the nanoparticles were coated by natural organic matter.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 687-697
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01094D
Bi2O3/nylon multilayered nanocomposite membrane for the photocatalytic inactivation of waterborne pathogens and degradation of mixed organic pollutants
Bi2O3/nylon multilayered nanocomposite membrane was fabricated by electrospinning and effectively used to degrade organic dye pollutants and pathogens through ROS produced by photocatalysis.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 342-355
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01026J
Respiratory Au nucleation and microelectrode techniques reveal key features of bacterial conductive matrix
Key elements of Geobacter's extracellular electron transfer mechanism are characterized combining respiratory formed gold nanoparticles with spectro-electrochemical and microelectrode techniques.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 3189-3200
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00544D
Polystyrene nano- and microplastic accumulation at Arabidopsis and wheat root cap cells, but no evidence for uptake into roots
Association of plastic particles with plant roots could represent a pathway for human consumption of plastic and plastic-associated organic contaminants.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1942-1953
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00309C
Nanoparticle affinity for natural soils: a functional assay for determining particle attachment efficiency in complex systems
Few standardized methods and reference systems have been established for evaluating the behavior of engineered nanomaterials in complex media like natural soils.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1719-1729
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00019A
Predictive quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) modeling for adsorption of organic pollutants by carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
Nanotechnology has introduced a new generation of adsorbents like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which have drawn a widespread attention due to their outstanding ability for the removal of various inorganic and organic pollutants.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 224-247
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN01059E
Influence of light wavelength on the photoactivity, physicochemical transformation, and fate of graphene oxide in aqueous media
The physicochemical characteristics of GO are significantly changed under the UV/vis fraction of solar light, which affects GO's environmental fate.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 2590-2603
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00593A
Emerging investigator series: it's not all about the ion: support for particle-specific contributions to silver nanoparticle antimicrobial activity
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and other ionizing engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are candidates for the development of antimicrobial agents due to their efficacy, multiple modes of bacterial inactivation, and tunability with respect to both the magnitude and mechanisms of antimicrobial activity.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 2047-2068
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00429C
Release, detection and toxicity of fragments generated during artificial accelerated weathering of CdSe/ZnS and CdSe quantum dot polymer composites
Released QD–PMMA microplastic toxic to S. oneidensis.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 1694-1710
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00249E
Photodegradation of polymer-CNT nanocomposites: effect of CNT loading and CNT release characteristics
Single particle ICP-MS is used to characterize the evolving magnitude, rate, and form of CNT release from photodegrading polymer nanocomposites.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2017,4, 967-982
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6EN00669H
Visualization tool for correlating nanomaterial properties and biological responses in zebrafish
N4mics facilitates the identification of correlations between nanomaterial characteristics and biological responses.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2016,3, 1280-1292
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6EN00273K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Surface chemistry, charge and ligand type impact the toxicity of gold nanoparticles to Daphnia magna
Using highly characterized gold nanoparticles this study determined that ligand identity, nanoparticle surface charge and aggregation type alters toxicity of gold nanoparticles to Daphnia magna.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2014,1, 260-270
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4EN00006D
About this collection
The circular economy (CE) is a design framework that supports sustainable resource and technology production within two integrated cycles - the biological and technical cycles - with no conventional "end-of-life". The nanoCE leverages properties and interactions at the nano length-scale to accelerate innovative product design according to CE principles. Guest Edited by Leanne Gilbertson (University of Pittsburgh, USA) and Peter Vikesland (Virginia Tech, USA), this themed collection intends to highlight selected research in our community that may not have been pursued through the lens of the circular economy, but nevertheless, presents findings that inform design within the nanoCE framework. The articles are organized in seven categories:
1. Green synthesis from biological processes
2. Rational design of multifunctional circular materials
3. Ecotoxicity guidelines for inherently safe circular materials
4. Material properties for resource recovery
5. Composite materials with low release for modular product designs
6. Intentional transformations to support new uses
7. Tuning environmental persistence based on intended (re)use.
It is our hope that this collection stimulates development of new and exciting multi- and trans-disciplinary research on the nanoCE. The collection is by no means inclusive of all the relevant published research in Environmental Science: Nano, and has been selected to recognize the breadth of our field, in topic and geography.