Themed collection Best Papers 2021 - Environmental Science: Nano

22 items
Critical Review

Graphdiyne: an emerging two-dimensional (2D) carbon material for environmental remediation

This review highlights recent and important advances related to the structure properties and application of graphdiyne (GDY)-based nanocomposites for environmental remediation.

Graphical abstract: Graphdiyne: an emerging two-dimensional (2D) carbon material for environmental remediation
Critical Review

Removal of antibiotics from aqueous solutions by electrocatalytic degradation

Electrocatalytic degradation of antibiotics.

Graphical abstract: Removal of antibiotics from aqueous solutions by electrocatalytic degradation
Open Access Critical Review

Critical overview on the green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and their application for cancer therapy

A critical review which delves into the advantages of the use of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) in nano-based cancer therapy, which includes its more positive environmental impact compared to previous systems.

Graphical abstract: Critical overview on the green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and their application for cancer therapy
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Communication

Nano-dry-salt deposition on electret nonwoven confers anticoronaviral effect while retaining aerosol filtration performance

Direct deposition of nano-dry-salt on nonwovens was developed as a process that can be incorporated into conventional nonwoven production for timely application of biosafe anticoronaviral surfaces and reliable aerosol filtration performance.

Graphical abstract: Nano-dry-salt deposition on electret nonwoven confers anticoronaviral effect while retaining aerosol filtration performance
From the themed collection: Nanomaterials in air
Paper

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.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: enhanced peroxidase-like activity and improved antibacterial performance of palladium nanosheets by an alginate-corona
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Nanoelicitors with prolonged retention and sustained release to produce beneficial compounds in wines

We designed nanoparticles able to protect the elicitor on the leaves of grapevines over long periods of time. The foliar application of this nanoelicitor produced wines with high content of stilbenes at significantly reduced dosages.

Graphical abstract: Nanoelicitors with prolonged retention and sustained release to produce beneficial compounds in wines
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Assessment of toxicity of metal oxide and hydroxide nanoparticles using the QSAR modeling approach

In the present study, QSAR models were developed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of MeOx NPs towards RAW 264.7 cells and to propose a short mechanism to determine the cause of cellular toxicity by the MeOx NPs.

Graphical abstract: Assessment of toxicity of metal oxide and hydroxide nanoparticles using the QSAR modeling approach
Paper

A reliable procedure to obtain environmentally relevant nanoplastic proxies

More environmentally relevant nanoplastic models are urgently needed.

Graphical abstract: A reliable procedure to obtain environmentally relevant nanoplastic proxies
Paper

Boosting eco-friendly hydrogen generation by urea-assisted water electrolysis using spinel M2GeO4 (M = Fe, Co) as an active electrocatalyst

To enhance the efficiency of hydrogen production, bimetallic oxides with spinel structures, M2GeO4 (M = Fe, Co), were synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method and were used as electrocatalysts for urea-assisted water electrolysis.

Graphical abstract: Boosting eco-friendly hydrogen generation by urea-assisted water electrolysis using spinel M2GeO4 (M = Fe, Co) as an active electrocatalyst
Paper

Nano-based soil conditioners eradicate micronutrient deficiency: soil physicochemical properties and plant molecular responses

Nano-enabled agriculture is a vibrant research area; nonetheless, reports on effective nanofertilizers are rather scant.

Graphical abstract: Nano-based soil conditioners eradicate micronutrient deficiency: soil physicochemical properties and plant molecular responses
Paper

Bimetallic FexMny catalysts derived from metal organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic removal of quinolones without oxidant

Bimetallic magnetic FeMn catalysts have been successfully prepared by a facile impregnation method, and they exhibit efficient photocatalytic removal of a series of quinolones without oxidant under simulated light irradiation.

Graphical abstract: Bimetallic FexMny catalysts derived from metal organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic removal of quinolones without oxidant
Paper

Lattice-strained nickel hydroxide nanosheets for the boosted diluted CO2 photoreduction

Lattice strain in ultrathin Ni(OH)2 NS promotes CO2 adsorption and activation, facilitates fast charge separation, which improves diluted CO2 photoreduction in 0.05–1.00 atm CO2.

Graphical abstract: Lattice-strained nickel hydroxide nanosheets for the boosted diluted CO2 photoreduction
Paper

Unconventional and facile production of a stimuli-responsive multifunctional system for simultaneous drug delivery and environmental remediation

Unconventional multifunctional nanocomposite fiber membranes were primed using Forcespinning® followed by the heat pressure method. The obtained membranes displayed simultaneously controlled drug release and removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater.

Graphical abstract: Unconventional and facile production of a stimuli-responsive multifunctional system for simultaneous drug delivery and environmental remediation
Paper

Reciprocal redox interactions of lithium cobalt oxide nanoparticles with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glutathione (GSH): toward a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle-biological interactions

NADH and GSH reduce Co in LiCoO2 nanoparticles to enhance ion release and the nanoparticles oxidize NADH in model media. This poses two routes of toxicity for high-valent oxides: enhanced release of toxic metals and disruption of cell redox state.

Graphical abstract: Reciprocal redox interactions of lithium cobalt oxide nanoparticles with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glutathione (GSH): toward a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle-biological interactions
Open Access Paper

Non-woven materials for cloth-based face masks inserts: relationship between material properties and sub-micron aerosol filtration

Sub-micron aerosol filtration of non-woven materials and fabric treatments were investigated. Select low-cost, readily available and easily cut non-woven materials were identified as suitable filter inserts for cloth-based masks.

Graphical abstract: Non-woven materials for cloth-based face masks inserts: relationship between material properties and sub-micron aerosol filtration
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Environmentally relevant concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles pose negligible risk to marine microbes

Exposure of Prochlorococcus cultures to research-grade and extracted nano-sized TiO2 at environmentally-relevant and supra-environmental concentrations (1 μg L−1 to 100 mg L−1) results in initial cell decline, followed by full population recovery.

Graphical abstract: Environmentally relevant concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles pose negligible risk to marine microbes
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Intracellular trafficking of silver nanoparticles and silver ions determined their specific mitotoxicity to the zebrafish cell line

AgNP toxicity was attributed to dissolved Ag+, which was released, transported, and concentrated in the mitochondria, finally leading to exhaustion of the reserve respiratory capacity and cell death.

Graphical abstract: Intracellular trafficking of silver nanoparticles and silver ions determined their specific mitotoxicity to the zebrafish cell line
Open Access Paper

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.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: automated single-nanoparticle quantification and classification: a holistic study of particles into and out of wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Gold nanoparticles synthesized using melatonin suppress cadmium uptake and alleviate its toxicity in rice

Schematic diagram showing how Mel-AuNPs alleviate Cd-induced toxicity in rice.

Graphical abstract: Gold nanoparticles synthesized using melatonin suppress cadmium uptake and alleviate its toxicity in rice
Paper

Piezoelectric activation of peroxymonosulfate by MoS2 nanoflowers for the enhanced degradation of aqueous organic pollutants

MoS2 NFs have exhibited abundant active sites in odd-number layers to piezoelectrically activate PMS for producing ˙OH and SO4˙ in order to degrade organic pollutants.

Graphical abstract: Piezoelectric activation of peroxymonosulfate by MoS2 nanoflowers for the enhanced degradation of aqueous organic pollutants
From the themed collection: Water pollution
Paper

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.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: 3D printed graphene-biopolymer aerogels for water contaminant removal: a proof of concept
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigators Series
Open Access Paper

Smart nanocomposites of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles loaded with copper oxide as alternative nanofertilizers

A chitosan and sodium alginate complex acts as a biodegradable shell to release nanoscaled nutrients, CuO nanoparticles, as an alternative smart delivery nanofertilizer.

Graphical abstract: Smart nanocomposites of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles loaded with copper oxide as alternative nanofertilizers
From the themed collection: Polymers in liquid formulations
22 items

About this collection

The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a variety of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Nano during 2021 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.

Spotlight

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