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Special Issue "Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications"

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A special issue of Inventions (ISSN 2411-5134). This special issue belongs to the section "Inventions and Innovation in Surface Science and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2018) | Viewed by 31204

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda

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Guest Editor

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Water Infrastructure Division, Chemical Methods and Treatment Branch, 26 West, Martin Luther King Drive, MS 689, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
Interests: harmful algal bloom treatment; nanotechnology; nutrient recovery; photo-catalysis; emerging contaminants; analytical techniques; sustainable chemistry; green chemistry; PFAS treatment

Dr. Hyuksang Chang
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Guest Editor

Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea

Dr. Changseok Han
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Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Engineering College of Engineering INHA University, 100 Inharo (2E447), Nam-gu, Incheon 22212, Korea

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology is a key word for this century to enhance different functions of current technology. Many nanostructured materials have been widely used to develop innovative nanotechnology for different applications. Currently, nanomaterials and nanocomposites have been attracting much attention in the field of environmental monitoring and remediation. Many studies reported that the use of nanomaterials and nanocomposites improved both the efficiency of treatment processes to decompose contaminants and the sensitivity of monitoring tools to detect contaminants. Moreover, people have started to realize the implication of nanomaterials because a huge amount of nanomaterials are used in various applications. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the trends of new nanomaterials and nanocomposites used for environmental applications as well as their implications.

The aim of this issue is to highlight, and bring to the attention of researchers, the ongoing development in innovative nanomaterials and nanocomposites for different environmental applications along with their implications. It is not limited to water and air purification, soil and groundwater remediation, toxicity of nanomaterials, and the fate and transport of nanomaterials in the environment.

Dr. Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda
Dr. Changseok Han
Dr. Hyuksang Chang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanocatalysts for environmental applications
nanoadsorbents for environmental applications
nanosensors for environmental monitoring
toxicity of nanomaterials
fate and transport of nanomaterials in the environment
nanocomposites and their environmental applications

Published Papers (4 papers)

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2038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nanosizing Cynomorium: Thumbs up for Potential Antifungal Applications

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Inventions 2017, 2(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions2030024 - 07 Sep 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6044

Abstract

Cynomorium coccineum L., the desert thumb, is a rather exotic, parasitic plant unable to engage in photosynthesis, yet rich in a variety of unique compounds with a wide spectrum of biological applications. Whilst extraction, separation and isolation of such compounds is time consuming, the particular properties of the plant, such as dryness, hardness and lack of chlorophyll, render it a prime target for possible nanosizing. The entire plant, the external layer (coat) as well as its peel, are readily milled and high pressure homogenized to yield small, mostly uniform spherical particles with diameters in the range of 300 to 600 nm. The best quality of particles is obtained for the processed entire plant. Based on initial screens for biological activity, it seems that these particles are particularly active against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans, whilst no activity could be observed against the model nematode Steinernema feltiae. This activity is particularly pronounced in the case of the external layer, whilst the peeled part does not seem to inhibit growth of C. albicans. Thanks to the ease of sample preparation, the good quality of the nanosuspension obtained, and the interesting activity of this natural product, nanosized coats of Cynomorium may well provide a lead for future development and applications as “green” materials in the field of medicine, but also environmentally, for instance in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications)

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2764 KiB

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Magnetically Recoverable and Reusable Antimicrobial Nanocomposite Based on Activated Carbon, Magnetite Nanoparticles, and Silver Nanoparticles for Water Disinfection

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Inventions 2017, 2(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions2020010 - 06 Jun 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7076

Abstract

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of innovative, low-cost and highly efficient water disinfection technologies that may replace or enhance the conventional methods. In this study, we introduce a novel procedure for preparing a bifunctional activated carbon nanocomposite in which nanoscale-sized magnetic magnetite and antimicrobial silver nanoparticles are incorporated (MACAg). The antimicrobial efficacy of the nanocomposite was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli). MACAg (0.5 g, 0.04% Ag) was found to remove and kill 10⁶–10⁷ CFU (colony-forming units) in 30 min via a shaking test and the removing and killing rate of the nanocomposites increased with increasing silver content and decreased with increasing CFU. The inhibition zone tests revealed, among the relevant components, only Ag nanoparticles and Ag⁺ ions showed antimicrobial activities. The MACAg was easily recoverable from treated water due to its magnetic properties and was able to remove and kill 10⁶ CFU after multiple-repeated use. The MACAg nanocomposite also demonstrated its feasibility and applicability for treating a surface water containing 10⁵ CFU. Combining low cost due to easy synthesis, recoverability, and reusability with high antimicrobial efficiency, MACAg may provide a promising water disinfection technology that will find wide applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications)

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2499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Linking the Physicochemical Properties of Calcined Titania Nanoparticles with Their Biocidal Activity

Dionysios D. Dionysiou

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Bellina Veronesi

Inventions 2016, 1(4), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions1040026 - 20 Dec 2016

Viewed by 6283

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO₂) show biocidal activity when exposed to UV illumination. Modification of their physical properties can expand their photoresponse region toward visible light. In this study, such modification was made through a sol-gel synthesis followed by calcination at a range of temperatures (250–900 °C), generating a series of nTiO₂ particles with different crystal phases, sizes, porosities, zeta potentials, and BET surface areas. The unique properties of nTiO₂ were linked to their toxicity to the marine bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. A modified “Flash” high-through put assay was used to test the viability of these marine organisms after short term (15–60 min) exposure under visible light only to the individual groups of nTiO₂ (500–2000 μg/mL). Linear regression analysis indicated that across all concentrations and time points, high biocidal activity correlated with the amorphous and anatase crystal phases, high BET surface area, high pore volume and small crystal size. The linkage between physicochemistry and nanotoxicity would be helpful for future design of more efficient and sustainable nTiO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications)

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7978 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanofibers and Their Environmental Remediation Applications

Kunal Mondal

Inventions 2017, 2(2), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions2020009 - 01 Jun 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 11208

Abstract

Recently, wastewater treatment by photocatalytic oxidation processes with metal oxide nanomaterials and nanocomposites such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, etc. using ultraviolet (UV) and visible light or even solar energy has added massive research importance. This waste removal technique using nanostructured photocatalysts is well known because of its effectiveness in disintegrating and mineralizing the unsafe organic pollutants such as organic pesticides, organohalogens, PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), surfactants, microorganisms, and other coloring agents in addition to the prospect of utilizing the solar and UV spectrum. The photocatalysts degrade the pollutants using light energy, which creates energetic electron in the metal oxide and thus generates hydroxyl radical, an oxidative mediator that can oxidize completely the organic pollutant in the wastewater. Altering the morphologies of metal oxide photocatalysts in nanoscale can further improve their photodegradation efficiency. Nanoscale features of the photocatalysts promote enhance light absorption and improved photon harvest property by refining the process of charge carrier generation and recombination at the semiconductor surfaces and in that way boost hydroxyl radicals. The literature covering semiconductor nanomaterials and nanocomposite-assisted photocatalysis—and, among those, metal oxide nanofibers—suggest that this is an attractive route for environmental remediation due to their capability of reaching complete mineralization of organic contaminants under mild reaction conditions such as room temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure with greater degradation performance. The main aim of this review is to highlight the most recent published work in the ﬁeld of metal oxide nanofibrous photocatalyst-mediated degradation of organic pollutants and unsafe microorganisms present in wastewater. Finally, the recycling and reuse of photocatalysts for viable wastewater purification has also been conferred here and the latest examples given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Applications)

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