Applications of nanomaterials in water treatment and environmental remediation

Nanotechnology has revolutionized plethora of scientific and technological fields; environmental safety is no exception. One of the most promising and well- developed environmental applications of nanotechnology has been in water remediation and treatment where different nanomaterials can help purify water through different mechanisms including adsorption of heavy metals and other pollutants, removal and inactivation of patho- gens and transformation of toxic materials into less toxic compounds. For this purpose, nanomaterials have been produced in different shapes, integrated into various composites and functionalized with active components. Nanomaterials have also been incorporated in nanostructured catalytic membranes which can in turn help enhance water treatment. In this article, we have provided a succinct review of the most common and popular nanomaterials （titania, carbon nanotubes （CNTs）, zero-valent iron, dendrimers and silver nanomaterials） which are currently used in environmental remediation and particularly in water purification. The catalytic properties and functionalities of the mentioned materials have also been discussed.     

Nanotechnology innovations,industrial applications and patents

Nanotechnology can be defined as the use of nanomaterials for human benefit. Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their physical and chemical characteristics at the nanoscale (10^?9 nm). Nowadays, nanotechnology is providing new products in all industrial sectors. This article reviews innovations in fields such as biomedical, diagnosis of diseases, therapeutics, agriculture and food, nanofertilizers, oil, gas, textile and cosmeceuticals and packaging. Recent trends of patents and scholarly publications in nanotechnology are also discussed.     

Oxygen scavenging films in food packaging

Eating safe and healthy food is a rising consumer awareness. Oxygen-sensitive foods can now be better protected using oxygen scavenging films, an emerging technology that extends the shelf life and maintains the quality and freshness of food products. The use of oxygen-absorbing materials in packaging is a current trend in active packaging, especially in food packaging. Some oxygen scavenging films have shown excellent oxygen absorbance and become commercial successes. Here, we review oxygen scavenging films used in food packaging, such as novel natural oxygen scavenging agents and active barrier films.     

Nanomaterials for agriculture,food and environment: applications,toxicity and regulation

Nanotechnology is expected to have a beneficial influence on agriculture, food and environment, due to the unique properties of nanomaterials. However, little is known about their safety and potential toxicity. Here we review metal nanoparticles, nanometal oxides, carbon nanotubes, liposomes and dendrimers. We present the application of these nanomaterials in agriculture, food and environment for plant protection; disease treatment; packing materials; development of new tastes, textures and sensations; pathogen detection; and delivery systems. We discuss risk assessment of nanomaterials and toxicological impacts of nanomaterials on agriculture, food and environment. We then provide regulatory guidelines for the safer use of nanomaterials.     

包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测与表征技术

随着纳米技术的发展,纳米材料在包装行业及食品工业中得到了广泛的应用。然而,纳米材料的安全应用高度依赖于对其生物及环境效应的了解。有研究表明,纳米材料对人类健康及生态环境存在着潜在危害,这使得纳米材料的安全性成为毒理学领域的热点研究课题。同时纳米材料的安全性问题也成为纳米复合包装材料及纳米食品研究和开发的新瓶颈。在对纳米材料没有充分认识的情况下,为了消费者和生态环境的安全,必须控制包装材料及食品中纳米颗粒的种类、来源、含量及可能的释放,这就需要可靠的方法对纳米颗粒的性质和结构进行检测及表征。首先,综述了目前纳米材料在复合包装材料及食品加工中的应用,然后总结了包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测技术及表征方法,例如显微技术、色谱分离技术、光谱与质谱技术等。由于纳米材料的理化性质参数众多,应用多种分析手段来检测和表征纳米材料成为必然。最后对目前检测技术及表征方法的不足和今后发展方向进行了探讨。     

Smart nanopackaging for the enhancement of food shelf life

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Food spoilage is a major global concern due to the lack of proper packaging technology. Nanotechnology is expected to improve food packaging. Indeed, novel...     

Exigency for fusion of graphene and carbon nanotube with biomaterials

Biomaterial industry is a widely growing field that is closely related to advanced materials. With development in fabrication techniques new materials are being created by researchers daily. The currently used biomaterials for biomedical applications have some limitations. This review examines those limitations such as corrosion, short fatigue life, less wear resistance, and inadequate mechanical properties. These limitations may lead to adverse effects. To overcome these limitations carbon-based nanomaterials may be incorporated such that these biomaterials reach the level of ideal biomaterials. Upgrade of biomaterials with graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) needs to be done only after checking the safety profile of these materials. Biocompatibility of functionalized graphene and CNT is found to be adequate for the use in many applications such as drug delivery, biosensing and imaging, cancer therapeutics, and tissue regeneration whereas pristine graphene and CNT may produce adverse effects. The potential of carbon-based nanomaterials and graphene (and its derivatives) in overcoming those limitations and enhancing biological activities of ongoing biomaterials by acting as composites and coating material is examined. In addition, nanomaterials employ new techniques in biomedical application such as cancer therapy for more efficient results.     

Applications of hollow nanomaterials in environmental remediation and monitoring: A review

Hollow nanomaterials have attracted significant attention because of their high chemical and thermal stability, high specific surface area, high porosity, low density, and good biocompatibility. These state-of-the-art nanomaterials have been shown to efficiently adsorb heavy metals, and volatile hazardous substances, photodegrade persistent organic pollutants, and other compounds, and inactivate bacteria. Such properties have enabled the use of these materials for environmental remediation, such as in water/wastewater treatment, soil remediation, air purification, and substance monitoring, etc. Hollow nanomaterials showed higher photocatalytic activity than those without hollow structure owing to their high active surface area, reduced diffusion resistance, and improved accessibility. And, the Doping method could improve the photocatalytic performance of hollow nanomaterials further under visible light. Moreover, the synthetic mechanisms and methods of these materials are important because their size and morphology help to determine their precise properties. This article reviews the environmental applications and potential risks of these materials, in addition to their syntheses. Finally, an outlook into the development of these materials is provided.     

Applications of nanotechnology in agriculture and water quality management

Due to their small size and unique physico-chemical characteristics, nanomaterials have gained importance in the agri-food sector, notably in preservation and packaging. Future applications will focus on shelf life, food quality, safety, fortification and biosensors for contaminated or spoiled food, irrigating water and drinking water. Different types and shapes of nanomaterials are being used depending upon the needs and nature of the work in agriculture and water quality management. Here we review the application of nanotechnology in agriculture. The major points discussed are: (1) Nanomaterials for agriculture and water quality management. (2) Research interests such as nanoscale carriers, fabricated xylem vessels, nanolignocellulosic materials, clay nanotubes, photocatalysis, bioremediation of resistant pesticides, disinfectants, agricultural wastewater treatment, nanobarcode technology, quantum dots for staining bacteria and nanobiosensors. (3) Nanotechnological applications for agriculture, which includes nanolignodynamic metallic particles, photocatalysis, desalination, removal of heavy metals and wireless nanosensors.     

Nanomaterials for water cleaning and desalination,energy production,disinfection, agriculture and green chemistry

Nanomaterials may help to solve issues such as water availability, clean energy generation, control of drug-resistant microorganisms and food safety. Here we review innovative approaches to solve these issues using nanotechnology. The major topics discussed are wastewater treatment using carbon-based, metal-based and polymeric nanoadsorbents for removing organic and metal contaminants; nanophotocatalysis for microbial control; desalination of seawater using nanomembranes; energy conversion and storage using solar cells and hydrogen-sorbents nanostructures; antimicrobial properties of nanomaterials; smart delivery systems; biocompatible nanomaterials such as nanolignocellulosis and starches-based materials, and methods to decrease the toxicity of nanomaterials. Significantly, here it is reviewed two ways to palliate nanomaterials toxicity: (a) controlling physicochemical factors affecting this toxicity in order to dispose of more safe nanomaterials, and (b) harnessing greener synthesis of them to bring down the environmental impact of toxic reagents, wastes and byproducts. All these current challenges are reviewed at the present article in an effort to evaluate environmental implications of nanomaterials technology by means of a complete, reliable and critical vision.     

Toxic impact of nanomaterials on microbes,plants and animals

Nanotechnology has many potential applications in medical, agriculture, electronic and sports industries. Nonetheless, there is actually little knowledge on toxic effects of nanomaterial. Here we review nanotoxicity, action mechanisms and fate of nanomaterials. We discuss the impact of nanotoxicity on microbes, plant, animal and human health, and factors like size, shape, surface charge, composition, ionic concentration and physiological. We explain the detection of nanotoxicity at cell and genome levels. Toxicities of commercial nanomaterials, risk management, rules and regulations regarding marketed nanoproducts are also summarized.     

人工纳米材料对贝类生态毒理效应的研究进展

纳米技术已成为21世纪发展最迅猛的技术领域之一。纳米材料因其具备新异的物理、化学特性而广泛应用于各种领域,包括农业,电子工业,生物医学,制造业,医药品和化妆品等,因此纳米颗粒不可避免会释放到水环境中。贝类由于其具有分布广,处于食物链中的关键位置,滤食食性,对重金属及污染物有较强的生物累积能力,且很多贝类具有养殖和商业价值,因而纳米颗粒对贝类的生态毒性效应备受关注。本文通过对已有相关研究成果进行归纳分析,重点阐述了3方面的内容:1)人工纳米材料在水环境中的行为;2)贝类作为水生污染监测指示生物的重要意义;3)人工纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应,主要包括贝类对纳米颗粒摄取、积累和转移,并从组织细胞水平,分子和基因水平,胚胎发育和个体生长水平等阐述了纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应。     

典型纳米材料的土壤微生物效应研究进展

纳米材料的大量生产和广泛应用使其不可避免地进入环境中,而土壤是人工纳米材料释放到环境的主要的汇。土壤中的微生物群落能敏感地反映土壤环境质量的变化,其对物质循环与能量转换具有极重要的生态学意义,然而纳米材料因其独特的物理化学特性,对土壤微生物群落及其功能的影响尚不明确。在参考纳米材料对微生物影响相关研究的基础上,总结了土壤中纳米材料的主要类型及来源,综述了典型纳米材料对土壤微生物群落结构、丰度、功能的影响及可能的影响机制,探讨了环境因子对人工纳米材料土壤生物效应的调控作用,对需要深入研究的方向进行了展望。     

纳米尺度物质对生态环境的影响及其生物安全性的研究进展与展望

纳米科技与产业化已列入国家科技中长期发展规划,将为我国经济和社会的可持续发展做出重大贡献。在发展纳米科技的同时,要密切关注其对生态环境和人群健康的潜在危害,探讨纳米技术正反两个方面的效应,真正地推动纳米科技的进步,促进纳米技术产业化健康、有序发展.为此,以自然环境存在的和人工合成的纳米尺度物质为综述对象,探讨了其对生态环境和人群健康的潜在影响,综述了纳米尺度物质生物安全性、危险度评估技术、对健康影响的作用机制以及潜在危害的防控措施等方面的研究进展,在此基础上,对纳米技术对生态环境影响研究和生物安全性研究的发展方向进行了展望.     

Nanotechnology applications in pollution sensing and degradation in agriculture: a review

With the rise in the global population, the demand for increased supply of food has motivated scientists and engineers to design new methods to boost agricultural production. With limited availability of land and water resources, growth in agriculture can be achieved only by increasing productivity through good agronomy and supporting it with an effective use of modern technology. Advanced agronomical methods lay stress not only on boosting agricultural produce through use of more effective fertilizers and pesticides, but also on the hygienic storage of agricultural produce. The detrimental effects of modern agricultural methods on the ecosystem have raised serious concerns amongst environmentalists. The widespread use of persistent pesticides globally over the last six decades has contaminated groundwater and soil, resulting in diseases and hardships in non-target species such as humans and animals. The first step in the removal of disease causing microbes from food products or harmful contaminants from soil and groundwater is the effective detection of these damaging elements. Nanotechnology offers a lot of promise in the area of pollution sensing and prevention, by exploiting novel properties of nanomaterials. Nanotechnology can augment agricultural production and boost food processing industry through applications of these unique properties. Nanosensors are capable of detecting microbes, humidity and toxic pollutants at very minute levels. Organic pesticides and industrial pollutants can be degraded into harmless and often useful components, through a process called photocatalysis using metal oxide semiconductor nanostructures. Nanotechnology is gradually moving out from the experimental into the practical regime and is making its presence felt in agriculture and the food processing industry. Here we review the contributions of nanotechnology to the sensing and degradation of pollutants for improved agricultural production with sustainable environmental protection.     

金属和非金属纳米材料对四膜虫生物毒性研究

纳米材料是"21世纪最有前途的材料",以其优良的性能广泛应用于许多领域,随之以多种形式释放到环境中。目前,关于纳米材料的安全性还没有明确的论断。本文介绍了四膜虫在纳米材料生物效应研究中的优势,重点论述了金属纳米材料、非金属纳米材料对四膜虫的生物效应以及毒性机制的研究状况,并对今后纳米材料生物毒性效应研究提供了建设性的方法及意见。     

Auswirkungen nanotechnologischer Entwicklungen auf die Umwelt

Background

Nanotechnology is about discovering, developing and using materials consisting in their primary stage at a size within the low nanometer range. These ultrafine particles offer new properties and opportunities. Even if the synthesis of nanoparticles has been discovered not until during the last decades, the exposure of humans to ultrafine particles occurred long before, due to the generation of ultrafine particles in ambient air during combustion processing.

Aim

Within this review, only engineered nanoparticles are considered, because these technical products are associated with many hopes for new applications, while only little information is available about their potential adverse effects. At workpiaces, during manufacturing, in technical applications or in drugs, nanoparticles will always have ‘side effects’ which have carefully to be weighed against their advantages, before they can be released in the environment. Therefore, information about their safety and potential hazards is urgently needed.

Results and Discussion

Along with the technical development of nanoparticles, a public discussion has started, leading to extensive investigations on possible negative ‘side effects’ on human health. Research activities have been strengthened in departments for environmental toxicology, hygiene institutes and other academic facilities to identify hazard and risks during handling and use of these new materials. On the other hand, nanotechnology offers the promise to prematurely identify environmental problems through improved detection and monitoring capabilities, and significantly reduced environmental effects from cleaner manufacturing and synthesis approaches, which results in a reduction or elimination of wastes as well as reduced energy use, and unique remediation solutions as well as pollution strategies.

Conclusions

However, the potential impact of manufactured nanomaterials used in various applications also needs to be evaluated in the context of human health with regard to potential toxicology and routes of exposure, environmental effects, including fate, transport, transformation, bio-availability, and bio-accumulation, and an analysis of product-life cycle.     

Nano-inspired systems in food technology and packaging

Creation of food-based nanomaterials for food processing and packaging applications is actually gaining in importance. Indeed, the design of a suitable food carrier system controls the encapsulation efficiency, the product stability and release of bioactives such as micronutrients, antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants. The smaller size of nanomaterials provides higher thermodynamic and kinetic stability. Whereas the higher surface area enhances compound solubility. Nanoemulsions both encapsulate bioactive compounds effectively and address the food safety concerns of the fresh produce associated with foodborne pathogens. Nanoliposomes encapsulate bioactive whey peptides and fat-soluble vitamins with improved functionalities. Encapsulated bioactive molecules are released by diffusion into the surrounding environment after degradation of the surrounding polymeric matrix.     

Problems associated with ecological assessment of packaging

Current trends in the development of the world packaging market and the place of ecological tendencies in them suggest the need to analyse the present status of studies on the ecological assessment of packaging materials and packaging. The aim of this study is to present some aspects of ecological assessment of packaging. The methods and criteria of ecological assessment of packaging, including Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and ecological classification of packaging proposed by COBRO (Polish Packaging Research and Development Centre) in Warsaw were used. The considerations presented in the paper related to the general assumptions of ecological assessment of packaging materials and packaging point to the complexity of the problem and, at the same time, to the immediate interest and importance of studies in this field, particularly in terms of implementing a specific environmental protection policy.     

Phase change materials for advanced cooling packaging

Controlling the temperature of food packages during transport is needed with the rise of online shopping. During transport, food requires cold temperatures to maintain freshness. A major issue is the undesired warming of food when packages are exposed to warm temperatures on airport tarmacs and temporary unrefrigerated storage during air transportation. To solve this problem, phase change materials (PCMs) can maintain package temperature by changing their phase from liquid to solid or vice versa, to absorb or release latent heat. Although this technology is still not fully commercially viable yet, it has good potential. This article reviews all aspects of PCM packaging, including their classification, technical approaches, and commercial applications, with focus on the direct integration of PCM into food package systems. The article also provides guidelines for future research and reveals aspects that still hinder the full exploitation of PCM in the food packaging industry. To make PCM packaging commercially viable, research needs to consider aspects such as cost, consumer acceptance and confidence, regulatory aspects, e.g., labeling, and multifunctionality.