Themed collection Emerging Investigators Series
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: perspectives on toxicokinetics of nanoscale plastic debris in organisms
Fragmentation of plastic waste in the environment can lead to the formation of nanoscale plastic debris (NPD) of size < 1 μm.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1566-1577
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00425E
Emerging investigator series: nanotechnology to develop novel agrochemicals: critical issues to consider in the global agricultural context
A better recognition of the agronomic context and geographical differences, including economic, political and social constrains, are needed to support the development of viable and sustainable nano-innovations in agriculture.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1867-1873
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00271B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: the dynamics of particle size distributions need to be accounted for in bioavailability modelling of nanoparticles
We propose to include the time-dependent size distribution of dispersed and internalized nanoparticles (NPs) in the ecotoxicological evaluation of exposure of biota to NPs and to develop tools to add the particle dynamics in the bioavailability modelling of NPs.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 2473-2481
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00572A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: the rise of nano-enabled photothermal materials for water evaporation and clean water production by sunlight
This frontier reviews impressive progresses of nano-enabled solar-driven water evaporation and clean water production made in the past 4 years.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 1078-1089
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00156A
Emerging investigator series: polymeric nanocarriers for agricultural applications: synthesis, characterization, and environmental and biological interactions
This review discusses polymeric nanocarriers for agrochemical delivery, from synthesis, characterization, and release, to benefits for agrochemical efficiency and sustainability.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 37-67
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN01127G
Emerging investigator series: interactions of engineered nanomaterials with the cell plasma membrane; what have we learned from membrane models?
Various membrane models used to study nanoparticle interactions with the cell plasma membrane.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 13-40
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00514A
Emerging investigator series: recent progress on the activation of persulfate by vacancy defect materials: the role of vacancies
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.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024,11, 3230-3249
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EN00430B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: metal nanoparticles in freshwater: transformation, bioavailability and effects on invertebrates
MNPs may undergo different environmental transformations in aquatic systems, consequently changing their mobility, bioavailability and toxicity to freshwater invertebrates.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2237-2263
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00052K
Emerging investigator series: bacteriophages as nano engineering tools for quality monitoring and pathogen detection in water and wastewater
Phase-based detection and monitoring of pathogens in water and wastewater.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 367-389
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00962H
Emerging investigator series: calculating size- and coating-dependent effect factors for silver nanoparticles to inform characterization factor development for usage in life cycle assessment
Concerns about the environmental impacts due to the end of life for engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are growing.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 2436-2453
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00675K
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
Emerging investigator series: treatment and recycling of heavy metals from nanosludge
This article reviews the challenges of nanosludge and provides new insights into the treatment of nanosludge for heavy metal recycling.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 1657-1673
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00120D
Emerging investigator series: design of hydrogel nanocomposites for the detection and removal of pollutants: from nanosheets, network structures, and biocompatibility to machine-learning-assisted design
Due to serious pollution of the world's water resources, effective methods for the detection and removal of pollutants must be developed.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 2216-2240
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00552D
Emerging investigator series: quantitative insights into the relationship between the concentrations and SERS intensities of neonicotinoids in water
This study explores the theoretical foundation behind the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for neonicotinoid quantification.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024,11, 3294-3300
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EN00221K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: suspended air nanobubbles in water can shuttle polystyrene nanoplastics to the air–water interface
Suspended nanoplastics can be removed from the water column with nanobubbles if interparticle repulsive forces are overcome by pH adjustment.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EN00188E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: aramid amphiphile nanoribbons for the remediation of lead from contaminated water
Aramid amphiphiles with chelating head groups spontaneously form robust nanoribbons in water with surfaces capable of heavy metal remediation.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 1536-1542
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00002K
Emerging investigator series: kinetics of diopside reactivity for carbon mineralization in mafic–ultramafic rocks
Complex carbon mineralization at nanoscale mineral interfaces resolved with in situ X-ray diffraction and molecular simulations.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2023,10, 2672-2684
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EN00087G
Emerging investigator series: differential effects of carbon nanotubes and graphene on the tomato rhizosphere microbiome
Carbon nanotube induces stronger and unique microbiome alterations in the tomato rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil, whereas graphene has a limited impact on soil microbiomes.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2023,10, 1570-1584
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN01026G
Emerging investigator series: hetero-phase junction 1T/2H-MoS2 nanosheets decorated by FeOOH nanoparticles for enhanced visible light photo-Fenton degradation of antibiotics
A hetero-phase junction was constructed with metallic 1T and semiconductive 2H MoS2, which exhibited outstanding photo-Fenton catalytic performance to effectively degrade organic pollutants in the aquatic environment.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2342-2350
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00045H
Emerging investigator series: correlating phase composition and geometric structure to the colloidal stability of 2D MoS2 nanomaterials
The study reveals that the interaction with cations, colloidal stability and transport behavior of MoS2 rely on its phase compositions and geometric structures.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1605-1616
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01110C
Emerging investigator series: linking nanoparticle infiltration and stomatal dynamics for plant nanobionics
We develop an automated infiltration platform and discover relationships for optimal incorporation of nanoparticles into living plants. Among others, these will benefit nanoscale sensors and genetic engineering approaches in plant nanobionics.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1236-1246
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01154E
Emerging investigator series: Molybdenum disulfide-enabled activated carbon - a multifunctional adsorbent for practical water treatment applications
This study addresses barriers to large-scale application of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) in water treatment schemes through its affixation onto granular activated carbon (AC) as an active adsorbing platform.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 477-488
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00897H
Emerging investigator series: long-term exposure of amorphous silica nanoparticles disrupts the lysosomal and cholesterol homeostasis in macrophages
Long-term ASiNP exposure led to lysosomal density and size increments as well as protein changes, and autophagosome and cholesterol accumulation in cells.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 105-117
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00696G
Emerging investigator series: enhanced peroxidase-like activity and improved antibacterial performance of palladium nanosheets by an alginate-corona
The formation of an alginate corona on the surface of Pd nanosheets can boost their peroxidase-like activity, giving rise to the fast generation of hydroxyl radicals and the enhancement of antibacterial activity.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 3511-3523
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00485A
Emerging investigator series: examination of the gastrointestinal lipidome of largemouth bass exposed to dietary single-walled carbon nanotubes
The results of this research indicate that though SWCNTs are unlikely to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal system, they do cause disruption of the gastrointestinal lipidome.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2792-2801
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00303H
Emerging investigator series: chemical transformation of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles in simulated human tear fluids: influence of biocoronae
The chemical stability of Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs in simulated tear fluid was highly affected by proteins, which would further influence their antibacterial efficacies.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2430-2440
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00566A
Emerging investigator series: a multispecies analysis of the relationship between oxygen content and toxicity in graphene oxide
The relationship between oxygen content and toxicity in graphene oxide varies between species.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 1543-1559
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01264E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: automated single-nanoparticle quantification and classification: a holistic study of particles into and out of wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland
High-throughput single-particle ICP-TOFMS analyses are used to quantify and classify diverse metal nanoparticle types from wastewater treatment plant samples.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 1211-1225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01066A
Emerging investigator series: prompt response of estuarine denitrifying bacterial communities to copper nanoparticles at relevant environmental concentrations
In estuaries the deposition of copper nanoparticles upon sediments can contribute to change metal availability and promote the transcriptional response of denitrifying bacteria.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 913-926
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01160F
Emerging investigator series: immobilization of arsenic in soil by nanoscale zerovalent iron: role of sulfidation and application of machine learning
SnZVI is more promising than nZVI for sustainable remediation of arsenic in soil.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 619-633
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01202E
Emerging investigator series: 3D printed graphene-biopolymer aerogels for water contaminant removal: a proof of concept
3D printed fit-for-design graphene-biopolymer aerogel for adsorption and/or filtration of contaminants from water.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 399-414
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00953A
Emerging investigator series: quantifying silver nanoparticle aggregation kinetics in real-time using particle impact voltammetry coupled with UV-vis spectroscopy
This work describes the development of an analytical technique that couples single nanoparticle electrochemistry and UV-vis spectroscopy to determine aggregation kinetics and critical coagulation concentrations (CCCs) of silver nanoparticles.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 2509-2521
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00490A
Emerging investigator series: molecular mechanisms of plant salinity stress tolerance improvement by seed priming with cerium oxide nanoparticles
Engineered nanomaterials interfaced with plant seeds can improve stress tolerance during the vulnerable seedling stage.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 2214-2228
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00387E
Emerging investigator series: first-principles and thermodynamics comparison of compositionally-tuned delafossites: cation release from the (001) surface of complex metal oxides
For a set of compositionally tuned complex metal oxides we predict the thermodynamics of aqueous surface transformations that lead to metal release.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1642-1651
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN01304K
Emerging investigator series: synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles fabricated on a graphene oxide nanocomposite for CO2 sequestration at elevated temperatures
MONP and MONP–GO sorbents exhibited relatively high CO2 sorption capacity (2.79–3.34 mmol g−1) under elevated temperature conditions.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1225-1239
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN01442J
Emerging investigator series: ion diffusivities in nanoconfined interfacial water films contribute to mineral carbonation thresholds
Mineral carbonation reactivity trends and thresholds in nanoconfined water films delineated with in situ X-ray diffraction and molecular simulations.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1068-1081
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN01382B
Emerging investigator series: locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) with nanowire-modified electrodes for water disinfection in pipes
Assisted by perpendicularly-grown nanowires, a coaxial-electrode locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) device achieves high disinfection in pipes.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 397-403
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00875F
Emerging investigator series: linking chemical transformations of silver and silver nanoparticles in the extracellular and intracellular environments to their bio-reactivity
Here we track intracellular uptake, speciation and bioreactivity of silver and silver nanoparticles in a model of the fish intestine and show that intracellular silver speciation is related to its bio-reactivity.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 2948-2957
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00710E
Emerging investigator series: characterization of silver and silver nanoparticle interactions with zinc finger peptides
Zn finger peptides catalyze dissolution and agglomeration of silver nanomaterials. In turn, the nanomaterials disrupt native structure and metalation of the peptide. Disruption of Zn finger function constitutes a potential toxicity mechanism.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 2367-2378
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00065H
Emerging investigator series: protein adsorption and transformation on catalytic and food-grade TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence of dissolved organic carbon
The adsorption and unfolding behavior of bovine serum albumin onto catalytic- and food-grade titanium dioxide nanoparticles is dependent on the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles and their environmental exposure history.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 1688-1703
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN00130A
Emerging investigator series: significantly enhanced uptake of Eu3+ on a nanoporous zeolitic mineral in the presence of UO22+: insights into the impact of cation–cation interaction on the geochemical behavior of lanthanides and actinides
Uptake of Eu3+ on clinoptilolite is significantly enhanced by the presence of UO22+ though cation–cation interactions between UO22+ and Eu3+.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 736-746
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN01396A
Emerging investigator series: quantification of multiwall carbon nanotubes in plant tissues with spectroscopic analysis
A rapid widely accessible spectroscopic analysis was developed for quantification of carbon nanotubes in plant tissues.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019,6, 380-387
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN01252K
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
Emerging investigator series: dispersed transition metals on a nitrogen-doped carbon nanoframework for environmental hydrogen peroxide detection
A Cu/Mn immobilized carbon nanoframework modified sensor was used for continuously detecting the H2O2 concentration in an electro-Fenton system.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 1834-1843
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00498F
Emerging investigator series: heterogeneous reactions of sulfur dioxide on mineral dust nanoparticles: from single component to mixed components
Synergistic effects of the heterogeneous reaction of sulfur dioxide on mineral dust nanoparticle mixtures.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018,5, 1821-1833
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00376A
About this collection
Environmental Science: Nano is pleased to present this growing web collection, showcasing the work being conducted by Emerging Investigators in environmental nanotechnology. It highlights up-and-coming scientists in the early stages of their independent careers, who have been identified as having the potential to influence future directions in the field.
This collection will be updated when new Emerging Investigator Series papers are published – so keep checking this page and watch the collection grow.
More details about the Emerging Investigator Series can be found on the blog, including details on how to apply for consideration and interviews with the corresponding authors featured in this collection. Direct links to each of these interviews can be found below.