Themed collection Best Papers 2019 – Environmental Science: Nano

26 items
Perspective

In situ remediation of subsurface contamination: opportunities and challenges for nanotechnology and advanced materials

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

Graphical abstract: In situ remediation of subsurface contamination: opportunities and challenges for nanotechnology and advanced materials
Open Access Tutorial Review

Metal–organic framework-based nanomaterials for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of gaseous pollutants: recent progress and challenges

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

Graphical abstract: Metal–organic framework-based nanomaterials for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of gaseous pollutants: recent progress and challenges
Critical Review

Recent advances regarding the impacts of engineered nanomaterials on the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process: performances and mechanisms

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

Graphical abstract: Recent advances regarding the impacts of engineered nanomaterials on the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process: performances and mechanisms
Critical Review

Emerging investigator series: connecting concepts of coinage metal stability across length scales

Materials with different dimensions can exhibit markedly different responses to their environment, even for the same material composition.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: connecting concepts of coinage metal stability across length scales
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigators Series
Critical Review

Recent advances in nano-enabled fertilizers and pesticides: a critical review of mechanisms of action

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

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in nano-enabled fertilizers and pesticides: a critical review of mechanisms of action
Critical Review

Detection of engineered nanoparticles in aquatic environments: current status and challenges in enrichment, separation, and analysis

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

Graphical abstract: Detection of engineered nanoparticles in aquatic environments: current status and challenges in enrichment, separation, and analysis
Critical Review

Uptake, translocation, and transformation of metal-based nanoparticles in plants: recent advances and methodological challenges

We review the uptake, translocation and transformation of metal based nanoparticles in higher plants, and present advanced analytical techniques and future perspectives in this field.

Graphical abstract: Uptake, translocation, and transformation of metal-based nanoparticles in plants: recent advances and methodological challenges
Paper

Bottom-up biofilm eradication using bacteriophage-loaded magnetic nanocomposites: a computational and experimental study

The combined experimental and computational study demonstrates an inverse relationship between phage-nanocomposite conjugate (PNC) size and biofilm eradication potential.

Graphical abstract: Bottom-up biofilm eradication using bacteriophage-loaded magnetic nanocomposites: a computational and experimental study
Paper

Can mineral growth by oriented attachment lead to incorporation of uranium(VI) into the structure of goethite?

Atomic and bulk scale measurements demonstrate that goethite grown by oriented aggregation does not readily incorporate U(VI) into structural sites.

Graphical abstract: Can mineral growth by oriented attachment lead to incorporation of uranium(vi) into the structure of goethite?
Paper

Proteomic, gene and metabolite characterization reveal the uptake and toxicity mechanisms of cadmium sulfide quantum dots in soybean plants

Cadmium sulfide quantum dots regulate nanomaterial-specific unique transmembrane transport system and metabolic processes in soybean plants.

Graphical abstract: Proteomic, gene and metabolite characterization reveal the uptake and toxicity mechanisms of cadmium sulfide quantum dots in soybean plants
Paper

High-flux nanofiltration membranes tailored by bio-inspired co-deposition of hydrophilic g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced selectivity towards organics and salts

NF membranes functionalized through bio-deposition of g-C3N4 nanosheets have enhanced water permeability, dye retention and salt transmission, showing great potential for sustainable treatment of highly saline textile wastewater.

Graphical abstract: High-flux nanofiltration membranes tailored by bio-inspired co-deposition of hydrophilic g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced selectivity towards organics and salts
Paper

Determining what really counts: modeling and measuring nanoparticle number concentrations

This paper describes a comprehensive investigation of particle number concentrations including a multi-method comparison, theoretical modeling, and cellular dosimetry.

Graphical abstract: Determining what really counts: modeling and measuring nanoparticle number concentrations
Open Access Paper

Engineered nanomaterials in the context of global element cycles

This article provides a bird's-eye-view of the status and scale of commercialized and nascent nanotechnologies in the context of global element cycles to prioritize and guide relevant environmental health research.

Graphical abstract: Engineered nanomaterials in the context of global element cycles
Paper

Accelerated Fenton-like kinetics by visible-light-driven catalysis over iron(III) porphyrin functionalized zirconium MOF: effective promotion on the degradation of organic contaminants

FeIII–TCPPCl-incorporated UiO-66 MOF could reliably achieve both photocatalysis and a Fenton-like reaction under visible light, with effective degradation against organic pollutants.

Graphical abstract: Accelerated Fenton-like kinetics by visible-light-driven catalysis over iron(iii) porphyrin functionalized zirconium MOF: effective promotion on the degradation of organic contaminants
Paper

Template-free synthesis of oxygen-containing ultrathin porous carbon quantum dots/g-C3N4 with superior photocatalytic activity for PPCPs remediation

We report, for the first time, the fabrication of an oxygen-containing ultrathin porous carbon quantum dots/polymeric carbon nitrogen metal-free composite with a highly enhanced photoresponse.

Graphical abstract: Template-free synthesis of oxygen-containing ultrathin porous carbon quantum dots/g-C3N4 with superior photocatalytic activity for PPCPs remediation
Paper

Neuronal damage induced by nanopolystyrene particles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Our observations highlight the potential of nanoplastics in inducing damage on both development and functions of nervous system after long-term exposure.

Graphical abstract: Neuronal damage induced by nanopolystyrene particles in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Paper

“Switching on” iron in clay minerals

We discovered a new mechanism explaining why iron in its oxidized form Fe(III) in clay minerals is reactive only in the presence of trace amounts of its reduced form—Fe(II).

Graphical abstract: “Switching on” iron in clay minerals
Paper

Fe/Mn nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as a peroxymonosulfate activator for acetamiprid degradation

Bimetallic Fe/Mn nanoparticles and N-doped carbon nanotubes in FeMn@NCNT synergistically activate peroxymonosulfate to form SO4˙, ˙OH, O2˙ and 1O2 for decomposing acetamiprid.

Graphical abstract: Fe/Mn nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as a peroxymonosulfate activator for acetamiprid degradation
From the themed collection: Nanomaterial applications in water
Open Access Paper

The food additive E171 and titanium dioxide nanoparticles indirectly alter the homeostasis of human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

Repeated exposure to E171 or TiO2-NPs, in vitro, induce moderate inflammation and mucus secretion in intestinal cells.

Graphical abstract: The food additive E171 and titanium dioxide nanoparticles indirectly alter the homeostasis of human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro
Paper

Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments

Over the last five decades, plastics production has increased as a consequence of their use in strategic sectors causing damage on aquatic ecosystems.

Graphical abstract: Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments
Paper

Ratiometric detection of heavy metal ions using fluorescent carbon dots

Classical methods for the detection of heavy metal ions in water are tedious and time consuming.

Graphical abstract: Ratiometric detection of heavy metal ions using fluorescent carbon dots
Paper

Extraordinary capacitive deionization performance of highly-ordered mesoporous carbon nano-polyhedra for brackish water desalination

Our mesoporous carbon single crystals exhibit an extraordinary capacitive deionization performance.

Graphical abstract: Extraordinary capacitive deionization performance of highly-ordered mesoporous carbon nano-polyhedra for brackish water desalination
Paper

Photocatalytic ozonation mechanism of gaseous n-hexane on MOx–TiO2–foam nickel composite (M = Cu, Mn, Ag): unveiling the role of ˙OH and ˙O2

The role of ˙OH and ˙O2 in the photocatalytic ozonation mechanism of gaseous n-hexane is disclosed based on experimental and theoretical methods.

Graphical abstract: Photocatalytic ozonation mechanism of gaseous n-hexane on MOx–TiO2–foam nickel composite (M = Cu, Mn, Ag): unveiling the role of ˙OH and ˙O2−
Paper

Rapid disinfection of E. coli by a ternary BiVO4/Ag/g-C3N4 composite under visible light: photocatalytic mechanism and performance investigation in authentic sewage

Z-scheme photocatalyst BiVO4/Ag/g-C3N4 was constructed and applied for rapid disinfection of E. coli cells in water and wastewater.

Graphical abstract: Rapid disinfection of E. coli by a ternary BiVO4/Ag/g-C3N4 composite under visible light: photocatalytic mechanism and performance investigation in authentic sewage
Paper

Enhanced antibiotic removal through a dual-reaction-center Fenton-like process in 3D graphene based hydrogels

Enhanced pollutant removal by FeOOH/RGO hydrogels relying on π–π and π–Fe interactions.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced antibiotic removal through a dual-reaction-center Fenton-like process in 3D graphene based hydrogels
Paper

CuO and ZnO nanoparticles drive the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes during sludge anaerobic digestion: possible role of stimulated signal transduction

CuO and ZnO NPs benefit ARG propagation by stimulating signal transduction in sludge bacteria.

Graphical abstract: CuO and ZnO nanoparticles drive the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes during sludge anaerobic digestion: possible role of stimulated signal transduction
26 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 2019 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.

Read the papers classed as the best of the portfolio at http://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers and also browse the nominated papers from our sister journals Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology and Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

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