Environmental science. Nano 

About: Environmental science. Nano is an academic journal published by Royal Society of Chemistry. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Chemistry & Adsorption. It has an ISSN identifier of 2051-8153. Over the lifetime, 1884 publications have been published receiving 51815 citations. The journal is also known as: Nano.

Recent advances in BiOX (X = Cl, Br and I) photocatalysts: synthesis, modification, facet effects and mechanisms

Abstract: Photocatalysis technology, using semiconductor nano-materials to decompose toxic pollutants under solar light irradiation, displays great prospects for environmental protection. This review gives an overview of the applications of BiOX (X = Cl, Br and I) photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic degradation (PCD) removal of pollutants in water/air, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), organic molecule pollutants, polymer pollutants and biological substances. In addition, the hybridization, facet effects and photocatalytic mechanisms of BiOX are highlighted to offer guidelines for designing highly-active BiOX visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalysts. Furthermore, the research trends and future prospects of BiOX photocatalysts are also briefly summarized. It may lead to feasible green and efficient photocatalytic reaction systems using BiOX as the photocatalyst.

An insight into metal organic framework derived N-doped graphene for the oxidative degradation of persistent contaminants: formation mechanism and generation of singlet oxygen from peroxymonosulfate

Abstract: The synthesis of carbonaceous materials from a metal organic framework (MIL-100), organic linker and N-precursor was comprehensively investigated, and the structures of the products were characterized. It was found that simple pyrolysis of mixed MIL-100 (Fe)/dicyandiamide (DCDA) could produce nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene). The N-graphene showed excellent performances in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, which were superior to those of counterparts of graphene, iron(II, III) oxide, manganese(IV) oxide and cobalt(II, III) oxide. With PMS activation, N-graphene exhibited efficient catalytic degradation of various organic pollutants such as phenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), sulfachloropyridazine (SCP) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and radical quenching tests were employed to investigate the PMS activation and organic degradation processes. It was found that singlet oxygen (1O2) was mainly produced during the activation of PMS by N-graphene, and contributed to the catalytic oxidation instead of sulfate and/or hydroxyl radicals. These findings provide new insights into PMS activation by metal-free carbon catalysis.

Catalytic Properties and Biomedical Applications of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have shown promise as catalytic antioxidants in the test tube, cell culture models and animal models of disease However given the reactivity that is well established at the surface of these nanoparticles, the biological utilization of nanoceria as a therapeutic still poses many challenges Moreover the form that these particles take in a biological environment, such as the changes that can occur due to a protein corona, are not well established This review aims to summarize the existing literature on biological use of nanoceria, and to raise questions about what further study is needed to apply this interesting catalytic material to biomedical applications These questions include: 1) How does preparation, exposure dose, route and experimental model influence the reported effects of nanoceria in animal studies? 2) What are the considerations to develop nanoceria as a therapeutic agent in regards to these parameters? 3) What biological targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are relevant to this targeting, and how do these properties also influence the safety of these nanomaterials?

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

Abstract: Interactions between engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and plants represent one of the fundamental problems we must face in the rapid development of nanotechnology. Hundreds of studies have addressed this issue in the past decade. This review summarizes recent research progress on the uptake, translocation and transformation of metal-based ENPs in higher plants. The integrated uptake and transport pathways of ENPs in plants are summarized and the key physiological barriers to plant uptake of ENPs are proposed. Transformation of ENPs in the soil–plant system is discussed, paying particular attention to the effects of phyllosphere and rhizosphere processes on the transformation and plant uptake of ENPs. The advances, limitations and challenges of analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative analysis for ENPs in plants are addressed. Furthermore, the key challenges in each field are thoroughly assessed and future perspectives are proposed. This review is intended to provide an unambiguous assessment of the present knowledge on the uptake, translocation and transformation of NPs in higher plants, and also to provide guidance for future research.

Marine plastic litter: the unanalyzed nano-fraction

Abstract: In this work, we present for the first time undeniable evidence of nano-plastic occurrence due to solar light degradation of marine micro-plastics under controlled and environmentally representative conditions. As observed during our recent expedition (Expedition 7th Continent), plastic pollution will be one of the most challenging ecological threats for the next generation. Up to now, all studies have focused on the environmental and the economic impact of millimeter scale plastics. These plastics can be visualized, collected and studied. We are not aware of any studies reporting the possibilities of nano-plastics in marine water. Here, we developed for the first time a new solar reactor equipped with a nanoparticle detector to investigate the possibility of the formation of nano-plastics from millimeter scale plastics. With this system, correlated with electronic microscopy observations, we identified for the first time the presence of plastics at the nanoscale in water due to UV degradation. Based on our observations, large fractal nano-plastic particles (i.e., >100 nm) are produced by UV light after the initial formation of the smallest nano-plastic particles (i.e., <100 nm). These new results show the potential hazards of plastic waste at the nanoscale, which had not been taken into account previously.