The two sides of 2D materials properties: a perspective on balancing air quality applications with environmental and health risks of 2D materials

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials hold promise in revolutionizing air pollution control and airborne pathogen detection. However, their real-world application is entering a new phase that calls for a deeper understanding of their environmental and health risks. The field is now poised to bridge the gap between materials science and risk assessment. In this perspective, we present a vision that connects high-performance 2D materials applications with their unintended consequences. We discuss the life cycle impacts from manufacturing emissions to end-of-life concerns and the complex toxicological profiles of graphene-related materials and other emerging 2D materials families, and approaches to a “safety-and-sustainability-by-design” framework to guide the 2D materials research toward responsible, safe, and impactful societal solutions.