Themed collection Best Papers 2022 – Environmental Science: Nano
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Adsorption and desorption mechanism of aromatic VOCs onto porous carbon adsorbents for emission control and resource recovery: recent progress and challenges
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.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 81-104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00929J
Construction of adsorbents with graphene and its derivatives for wastewater treatment: a review
A comprehensive and critical overview of graphene-based adsorbents in capturing various water contaminants within the recent five years is presented to drive the rational development of high-performance adsorbents with graphene and its derivatives.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 3226-3276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00248E
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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
A critical review on surface-modified nano-catalyst application for the photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds
Surface modified nano-catalysts to improve the performance of photocatalytic degradation of VOC.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 61-80
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00955A
Uptake, translocation, and transformation of silver nanoparticles in plants
This article reviews the plant uptake of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that occurred in soil systems and the in planta fate of Ag.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 12-39
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00870F
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Label-free and reusable antibody-functionalized gold nanorod arrays for the rapid detection of Escherichia coli cells in a water dispersion
An antibody-functionalized gold nanorod array enables the realization of a reusable early-warning system for detecting harmful pathogens dispersed in drinkable water.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 3343-3360
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00564F
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Characterization of nano-scale mineral dust aerosols in snow by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Mineral dust aerosols in snow were analyzed by single particle ICP-MS with machine learning to classify particle groups.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2638-2652
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00277A
Rational design of covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production
Rational design of covalent organic frameworks has been performed for efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production without using any sacrificial agent.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2464-2469
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00135G
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
Combination of a nanocarrier delivery system with genetic manipulation further improves pesticide efficiency: a case study with chlorfenapyr
The combination of nanocarrier delivery and genetic manipulation significantly improves chlorfenapyr efficiency and has great potential for sustainable crop protection.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 2020-2031
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00126H
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Hazard assessment of ingested polystyrene nanoplastics in Drosophila larvae
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are intentionally produced for commercial uses (primary MNPLs) or are formed from environmentally aged plastics (secondary MNPLs).
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1845-1857
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01199E
Simultaneous photocatalytic tetracycline oxidation and chromate reduction via a jointed synchronous pathway upon Z-scheme Bi12O17Cl2/AgBr: insight into intermediates and mechanism
A 2D/0D Bi12O17Cl2/AgBr Z-scheme photocatalyst provides a jointed synchronous pathway for simultaneous Cr(VI) and TC removal.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1780-1793
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00028H
Synergistic enhanced NH3-sensing of SnS via Ti3C2Tx-oriented vertical growth and oxygen-containing functional group regulation
Stannous sulfide (SnS) is a promising candidate for gas sensing applications due to its unique two-dimensional (2D) puckered monolayer and response capability at room temperature (25 °C).
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1805-1818
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00035K
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Quantification and classification of engineered, incidental, and natural cerium-containing particles by spICP-TOFMS
Multi-elemental spICP-TOFMS is used to simultaneously classify mixtures of engineered, incidental, and natural Ce-containing nanoparticles based on conserved Ce : La and Ce : Nd ratios in natural Ce particles.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1627-1638
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01039E
Simulated-sunlight-driven Cr(VI) reduction on a type-II heterostructured Sb2S3/CdS photocatalyst
Construction of a type-II heterostructured Sb2S3/CdS photocatalyst for highly improved simulated-sunlight-driven Cr(VI) reduction.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1738-1747
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00050D
Bifunctional in situ polymerized nanocomposites for convective solar desalination and enhanced photo-thermoelectric power generation
One deed for two needs-inspired bifunctional MnO2@PPy nanocomposites for solar-driven water evaporation at the rate of 12.31 kg m−2 per day and enhanced photo-thermoelectric power generation with an output power density (Pout ∼ 12.3 W m−2).
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1685-1698
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01018B
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Development of a novel cellulose foam augmented with candle-soot derived carbon nanoparticles for solar-powered desalination of brackish water
Candle soot nanoparticles deposited onto hydrophilic cellulose foam greatly improved the solar-powered steam generation and yield of freshwater, resulting in the production of low-cost potable water from brackish input water.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1247-1270
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01112J
Carbon dots can strongly promote photosynthesis in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
In vitro root amendment with CDs can promote photosynthesis of lettuce by enhancing photoreaction processes and CO2 fixation.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 1530-1540
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00948F
A nanocarrier pesticide delivery system with promising benefits in the case of dinotefuran: strikingly enhanced bioactivity and reduced pesticide residue
SPc can be conjugated with dinotefuran through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, which reduce particle size, increase plant uptake and bioactivity, and decrease residue. The dinotefuran/SPc complex is relatively safe to predators and plants.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 988-999
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00752A
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
H2O2-free photo-Fenton system for antibiotics degradation in water via the synergism of oxygen-enriched graphitic carbon nitride polymer and nano manganese ferrite
H2O2-free photo-Fenton oxidation over OCN-nano MnFe2O4 (OMF) composites is an effective solution to degrade antibiotics in water. OMF shows high biocompatibility and high pH tolerance and can be easily recycled via magnetic separation.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 815-826
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00869B
The photocatalytic NO-removal activity of g-C3N4 significantly enhanced by the synergistic effect of Pd0 nanoparticles and N vacancies
Pd0 and N vacancy co-modified g-C3N4 displayed excellent NO-removal activity.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 742-750
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00937K
In situ synthesis of a GO/COFs composite with enhanced adsorption performance for organic pollutants in water
An in situ synthesis strategy was used to prepare a GO/COFs composite for the effective adsorption of organic pollutants from environmental water.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 554-567
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01015H
Reusable piezocatalytic water disinfection activity of CVD-grown few-layer WS2 on sapphire substrate
Chemical vapor deposition method was utilized to grow multilayer 2D-WS2. The as grown semiconductor 2D-WS2 shows excellent piezo-catalytic water purification ability.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 805-814
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00926E
Graphitic carbon nitride and carbon nanotubes modified active carbon fiber cathode with enhanced H2O2 production and recycle of Fe3+/Fe2+ for electro-Fenton treatment of landfill leachate concentrate
g-C3N4/CNTs/ACF with improved H2O2 production and Fe2+ regeneration showed an excellent performance in the treatment of landfill leachate concentrate.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 632-652
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN01095F
Simultaneous removal of arsenite and cadmium by a manganese-crosslinking sodium alginate modified biochar and zerovalent iron composite from aqueous solutions
A novel manganese-crosslinking sodium alginate modified biochar and zerovalent iron composite (Mn/SA-BC@nZVI) was prepared for the simultaneous removal of arsenite (As(III)) and cadmium (Cd(II)) from contaminated water.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 214-228
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00722J
Increase in germline methyltransferases governing the methylation of histone H3K9 is associated with transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Our data demonstrated the association of the increase in germline methyltransferases required for methylation of H3K9 with transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity in nematodes.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2022,9, 265-274
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00835H
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
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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
About this collection
The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a selection of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. This collection of our best papers in 2022 can be read here: https://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers
To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Nano during 2022, we’ve gathered all shortlisted papers in this special collection.