Themed collection Environmental Science: Nano Recent HOT Articles

This perspective aims to shed light on the transformative potential of sustainable synthesis in guiding the transition towards circular economy conceptions in the nanotechnology domain.

Carbon nanofibers are a class of lightweight, high-performance composite materials.

Environmental remediation based on peroxomonosulfate- and peroxydisulfate-activation-enabled radical/non-radical oxidation has gained growing interest due to the strong oxidation power, long life of reactive oxygen species, and wide pH adaptability.

This review discusses the characteristics and synthesis methods of Bi-based NPs. It delves into the removal efficiency in wastewater, emphasizing traditional/emerging strategies to enhance the performance, mechanisms, toxicology, and challenges.

ZIF-based catalysts have great potential for PMS activation in environmental treatment. State of the art and prospects in recent breakthroughs are presented in this review.

This research represents the first study of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) decomposition using immobilized ZnO nanoparticles by electrophoretic deposition in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis.

In this study, we demonstrate the first successful application of InP quantum dots (QDs) as an environmentally friendly visible light photocatalyst for water treatment.

Fabrication of a dual-barrel platinum ultramicroelectrode allows for the stochastic detection of a single liquid aerosol droplet. The new measurement technique has significant potential for studying the microdroplet|air interface using electrochemistry.

An asymmetrically superwettable Janus membrane utilizes natural resources without CO₂ emission for all-day freshwater harvesting.

Selectively and efficiently capturing trace titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) in environmental waters is a prerequisite for their determination to understand their occurrence, behavior and effects in the environment.

Nanotechnology has been widely used in agriculture to improve plant growth and stress tolerance.

A novel mechanism has been revealed by the study that the adsorption of VOC molecules on the surface of semiconductors formed midgap states between the ground state of the VOCs and the conduction band of the semiconductor.

The NBs have the best removal rate of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in porous media under weakly alkaline condition (pH = 7–8). Both strong acidity and strong alkalinity are not conducive to the flushing removal of pollutants.

A novel environment-friendly oxygen-vacancy-rich Cu-doped zeolite decorated with Cu⁰ (Cu⁰@CuZ) was fabricated to achieve the high-efficiency removal of refractory organic pollutants in a photo-Fenton-like reaction.

The crystallinity of ultrathin Co₃O₄ nanosheet was tuned by adjusting the calcination atmosphere. The enriched oxygen vacancies, PMS-binding affinity and rapid Co²⁺/Co³⁺ conversion triggered both radical and nonradical reactions for SMX oxidation.

The green and safe polymer HEC confers bio-interactive properties to Ag-Nps that, together with the small size and positive ζ potential, increase their biological reactivity towards zebrafish embryos.

The crystalline phase significantly affects the efficiency of TiO₂ nanomaterials in catalyzing hydrolysis reactions of organophosphates, primarily by modulating the surface Lewis acidity of TiO₂.

Zeolite-like ion-exchanged Cu-attapulgite catalysts have been developed for selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia.

A ternary composite by combining g-C₃N₅ and Gd-MOF adorned with AgNCs has been fabricated for the efficient reduction of Cr⁶⁺ and neomycin degradation.

Nano-pelargonidin protects CM-induced toxicity in tilapia fish by modulating DNA repair proteins corroborating with molecular docking study.

The transformation of metastable ferrihydrite to stable hematite has been linked to magnetic enhancement in soils and sediments.

A progressive transition from the L–H model to MvK model is observed, where a polyhedral Co₃O₄ nanocatalyst enabled by topotactic condensation of ZIF-67 is synthesized for catalytic degradation of n-hexane.

Three Co–N/C-based catalysts with different types of nitrogen are prepared and employed to activate peroxymonosulfate for tetracycline degradation.

Herein, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported as an efficient catalyst and nanoreactor for activating CaSO₃ for water decontamination.

MOF@cotton@chitosan composite for nanomolar fluorescence sensing of nitroxinil drug and p-arsanilic acid in real samples is presented.

A novel CuAl₂O₄/MoS₂/BaFe₁₂O₁₉ photocatalyst is synthesized that simultaneously couples type I and Z-scheme heterojunctions and exhibits high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of TC under simulated sunlight irradiation.

This study investigated the adsorption of PFOA and PFOS by nanoscale zero-valent iron, revealing the adsorption mechanism and enriching the understanding of environmental remediation.

The construction of a core–shell Pt@MnO_x/SiO₂ protective structure catalyst can protect the active Pt site well from SO₂ toxicity.

This study explores mucin's ability to selectively recover gold (Au) from metal wastewater. The Au, in the form of a nanoparticle, was utilized in peroxymonosulfate activation for the degradation of bisphenol A.

Schematic diagram of the mechanism of Fe–NOM–Sb(V) colloids formation and transport in the natural environment.

Sediments generally act as a sink of released manufactured nanomaterials (NMs).

Lead nanoparticles rapidly mix with sand and dust (SD) particles to form mixed particles during SD storms period and have significant potential to be transported by SD particles in atmosphere.

A stimuli-responsive hydrogel for fungicide delivery based on UV-sensitive molecular (AZO)-conjunct CNCs is successfully prepared.

This study quantitatively distinguished foliar adhesion and absorption between Pb nano- and submicron particles of different chemical forms.

Multi-technique characterization at the nanoscale of gelatin biodegradation on the surface of core–shell nanoparticles by extracellular proteases.

Different sulfidized procedures and sulfur precursors influenced the bacterial toxicity of S-NZVI and the mechanisms.

We analyzed the plasmid-mediated transfer frequency between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria at different GO concentrations to unveil its impact on conjugative transfer of ARGs.

The ability of the EG-nZVI/CA-MCM-41 nanocomposite to eliminate Eu(III) was evaluated by thermodynamic, pH_ZPC, speciation, kinetics analysis, adsorption isotherm, and recyclability tests, which yielded a high Eu(III) sorption capacity of 714.28 mg g⁻¹.

Concepts of similarity applied to complex multicomponent advanced materials for an informed balance of performance and hazard.

Long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 increases the risk of IBS, especially PM_2.5.

Microfluidic technology can be used to enhance magnetite precipitation and Fe–Zn separation, as it offers the advantage of enhanced mixing and mass transfer.

This work uses novel high-throughput phenotypic profiling techniques to elucidate the most probable phytotoxic mechanism of action of LiCoO₂ nanosheets.

MXenes are a newer class of 2D materials with desirable properties, making them attractive for various environmental applications, including remediation and as membranes for water treatment.

Biomolecules that have both redox capability and phosphate functionality undergo direct surface initiated redox with high-valent metal oxide nanoparticles, oxidizing the molecule and increasing Co release from the nanoparticles.

The use of single-use face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in indiscriminate disposal of face masks, some of which end up in the aquatic environment.

Introduction of a hydrophobic shell to a regenerated cellulose-based bead through gas-phase esterification results in slowing of plant nutrient release by an order of magnitude.

Janus nanosheets synergistically interact with oil-degrading bacteria for marine oil spill remediation.

S doping promoted the conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II), which greatly improved the performance of the Fenton-like reaction.

A synergic mode of heterogeneous photocatalysis and photothermal Fenton-like reaction for highly efficient microplastic degradation, utilizing α-Fe₂O₃ nanoflower on TiO₂ with a hierarchical structure of inverse opal-like layer/nanotube arrays.

The growing application of nanocellulose in various industrial sectors with potential release into the natural environment demands a safety assessment and thus ecotoxicity.

Biomass-derived carbon quantum dots are gaining a lot of attention from contemporary world because of their fascinating physical, chemical and electronic properties which bestowed them excellent water solubility, low cytotoxicity, good biocompatibility and high photostability.

Tetrafluoromethane (CF₄) is a potent greenhouse gas with high stability, thus its effective decomposition is crucial for mitigating its environmental impact.

Foliar spraying with SA–CS nanocomposites (SCNs) significantly increased maize plant resistance against S. frugiperda by increasing defense compound (BX) production and anti-insect gene (Pep1, RIP2, MPI and JAR1a) expression.

ZnO-nanoparticles reduce the attachment ability of the green stinkbug Nezara viridula, a major pest worldwide, by aggregating on insect attachment devices. These findings can help to develop nontoxic pest-control methods that can be alternatives to insecticides.

Three different Co(II) species are identified at the surface of stoichiometric magnetite (Fe(II)/Fe(III) = 0.5) by experiments, modeling, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. This affects the fate of Co, and the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles.

This work revealed the dual activation mechanism of O₂ and H₂O on nano Ag/GDY and the excellent antibacterial efficiency.

A micronutrient-based nanosystem was utilized to target the delivery of oxytetracycline to the stomata and epidermal cell junctions. The findings have potential to significantly improve crop protection against surface-restricted pathogens.

Proposed mechanism of catalytic ozonation in different surface acid sites of oxide aqueous suspensions.

A novel strategy for bacterial wilt disease control was proposed involving boron nitride nanosheets to immobilize plant micronutrients and form a defensive barrier in plant roots to block or inhibit the invasion of pathogen.

Freshwater scarcity remains a global challenge, often exacerbated by oil contamination. The current study tackles this issue by cleaning oily wastewater while removing its dissolved organic pollutants with PVDF-OH Ag/TiO_x sustainable nanocomposites.

The antibacterial mechanism involves inducing oxidative stress, resulting in disruptions to the mycelial cell membrane, intracellular structure, and various metabolic processes.

The hollow Cu–Co HNB catalyst selectively reduces NO₃⁻ to N₂ by tandem catalysis in a chlorine-free system.

A novel hierarchical structured Cu@carbon/carbon cloth film is developed for highly-efficient interfacial solar steam generation.

Graphene oxide can be degraded by ubiquitous fungal enzymes alternative to lignin peroxidase, inhibited by the nanomaterial.

Soil-applied silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) significantly increased radish taproot resistance against white grubs and simultaneously shaped a healthy rhizosphere microenvironment.

The transfer of antibiotic resistance genes was influenced by the concentration and surface charge of nanoplastics. This was due to a combination of the promotion effect of ROS and the inhibition caused by nanoplastic agglomeration.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are currently a main concern for environmental, animal and human health due to their potential to accumulate in different environmental compartments and provoke effects in living organisms.

Titanium suboxide-doped laser-induced graphene holds great potential to inactivate model enteric viruses MS2, T4, and Phi6. The mechanism of inactivation was recognized as the combination of electric field-induced effects and electrooxidation.

Identified charge-transfer processes and photoelectric synergistic effect of the photoanode enhance the antibiotic wastewater treatment and free radical synergies.

The recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes represents a formidable constraint on the efficacy of semiconductors, which comprises a pivotal determinant of their performance in photocatalysis.