Themed collection Environmental Science: Nano Recent Review Articles

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.

Fundamental design parameters for future development of novel antiviral nanomaterials.

Strategic pairing of engineered nanomaterials to platforms will advance safe and effective deployment of nano-enabled water decontamination.

Here we discuss the potential of engineered nanoparticles to act as agents affecting the immune status in different environmentally relevant species, with a focus on the emerging experimental models launched by the EU Horizon 2020 project PANDORA.

Phyto-nanotechnology has received dramatically increasing attention in recent years. In this perspective, we have summarized some promising applications of phyto-nanotechnology as well as major obstacles with our insights into in this dynamic area.

An international workshop identified how pore structures and unique properties that emerge at nano- to sub-nano- size domains can improve the energy efficiency and selectivity of electroseparation or electrocatalytic processes for treating water.

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.

Strategies are provided for making robust measurements of engineered nanomaterial bioaccumulation across a broad range of organisms.

Engineered nanomaterials alone or in combination with other technologies may improve in situ subsurface remediation of legacy and emerging contaminants.

Dissolution is a factor to consider when interpreting human health and ecotoxicological studies.

Nano specific challenges of applying LCA towards nano-enabled agrochemicals to assess their environmental implications are identified in this perspective.

Nanorobots for biomedical applications have experienced extensive research and rapid development during the last decade, up to a point where they can now deliver cargos to designated sites in organisms under laboratory conditions.

Heteroaggregation of engineered nanoparticles with suspended particulate matter in theory and practice: a roadmap for understanding and determining attachment efficiencies.

Micromotors and the environment: illustrating the efficient operation of carbon-based micromotors for water purification.

This frontier reviews impressive progresses of nano-enabled solar-driven water evaporation and clean water production made in the past 4 years.

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.

Nanoparticles containing metals in their structure constitute an increasingly large group of substances present in the air.

This review discusses polymeric nanocarriers for agrochemical delivery, from synthesis, characterization, and release, to benefits for agrochemical efficiency and sustainability.

Design and engineering of metal–organic frameworks for the adsorption/degradation of inorganic toxic gases, organic vapors and particulate matter.

Various membrane models used to study nanoparticle interactions with the cell plasma membrane.

This review highlights an artificial g-C₃N₄-based Z-scheme photocatalyst that simulates natural photosynthesis; the design, preparation and applications are presented.

It reviews the most recent progress in detection, treatment, and recycling of contaminants mainly from wastewater using iron triad nanomaterials.

Phase-based detection and monitoring of pathogens in water and wastewater.

While the antibacterial potency of metal and metal oxide engineered nanomaterials (MMO ENMs) is well-established, a lack of standardized methodologies for mechanistic studies may create both real and perceived ambiguity in mechanistic conclusions.

The necessity, basic strategies and mechanisms for HCHO room-temperature catalytic oxidation removal are summarized and discussed.

This review highlights recent and important advances related to the synthesis, characterization and application of graphene quantum dot (GQD)-based nanocomposites for the agriculture and environmental sectors.

Nanotechnology-enabled water treatment technologies have the potential to outperform conventional water treatment systems, but we must understand how to produce, use, and dispose of these technologies in a safe and sustainable way.

Biochar conversion into nanobiochar induced multiple potential applications as an adsorbent, sensor, capacitor, and photocatalytic and plant nanobionic material.

Hg(II) contamination in water is a major health issue. Functionalized organic materials have huge scope for the large-scale adsorptive removal of Hg(II). This review summarizes major achievements of POPs and COFs in the water purification purposes.

Concerns about the environmental impacts due to the end of life for engineered nanomaterials (ENM) are growing.

Impact of carbon nanomaterials on soil organic pollutant biodegradation is associated with their interactions with pollutant and toxicity to microorganisms.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) have a potential to modulate microbiota and induce harmful or beneficial effects in the host. However, the causal factors of ENM-induced dysbiosis remain unknown.

Colorimetric sensors fabricated via nanomaterials and nanotechnology exhibited promising applications in environmental science.

Despite the diverse structures and functions of the gut barrier in the animal kingdom, some common features of gut lumen chemistry control the behaviour of engineered nanomaterials, and with some potentially novel uptake pathways in invertebrates.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are well known for their versatile applications in diverse fields (e.g., gas adsorption, water purification, sensing, drug delivery, and catalysis).

Nanozymes have great potential in detection of heavy metals, organic pollutants and treatment of pathogenic bacteria and waste water and air.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with a nanoscale thickness are promising candidates for advanced molecular separations.

Nanomaterials have been demonstrated to be an effective adsorbent or an ion exchanger for selectively removing various radioactive species present in contaminated water while preventing radionuclides from entering and interacting with the biosphere.

Metabolites present in the corona may play a key role in biological recognition of nanomaterials yet remain a much-overlooked aspect of the corona.

This review highlights recent achievements and perspectives of emerging two-dimensional nanomaterials for the elimination of radionuclides in environmental applications.

In recent years, photocatalytic technology has been widely studied as an environmental restoration technology and energy production technology to solve the two crises of energy shortage and environmental pollution.

Manganese oxides, with low toxicity and wide adaptability, have been demonstrated as promising catalysts for substituting noble metals/oxides in a diversity of chemical reactions.

Nanomaterials can potentially be used as fertilizers to improve both plant nutrition and environmental outcomes.

The impacts of engineered nanomaterials on the performance of the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process and their intoxication mechanisms are summarized.

Photocatalysis that utilizes semiconductor nanoparticles is one of the promising environmental technology for air purification.

Advanced electrocatalysts for halogenated organic pollutant degradation.

The increasing demand for food coupled to various environmental pressures, is increasing the importance of sustainable agricultural practices.

The use of nanomaterials in agriculture as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, or nano-enabled sensors to increase crop yield is gaining increasing interest.

Quantification of the uptake and elimination of nanomaterials (NMs) by organisms is key in assessing the environmental risks of NMs.

This article reviews the challenges of nanosludge and provides new insights into the treatment of nanosludge for heavy metal recycling.

Formation and transformation of silver sulfide nanoparticles occur in both engineered and natural water systems with potential toxic effects to aqueous organisms.

The analysis of the environmental behavior and toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) is complicated by high metal concentrations in natural matrices.

The key algal response mechanisms to cope with NP toxicity and implications for algal bloom control by NPs.

The development of enrichment–separation–analysis technologies is the cornerstone of accurately detecting, effectively monitoring, and controlling ENPs in aquatic environments.