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Nanomaterials
Special Issues
Environmental Risk Assessments and Characterization of Nanomaterials
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Environmental Risk Assessments and Characterization of Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 7612

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mónika Molnár

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3., 1111 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: ecotoxicology; environmental risk assessment; soil remediation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The risk evaluation and characterisation of nanomaterials (NMs) is crucial if there is potential for human exposure, exposure to other species or the environment to nanomaterials. To assess and characterise the environmental risks associated with nanomaterials must be based on a relevant assessment of exposure and effects. The approach assuming chemical equilibrium between test organisms and the surrounding environment, traditionally used for dissolved chemicals, is not valid for NMs. Consequently, reliable risk assessment of NMs requires proper innovative chemical analytical and ecotoxicological methods. Based on these methodologies, developing new risk evaluation approaches is also necessary with nano-specific concerns. Life-cycle consideration in exposure and effect assessment is one of the major issues for a better understanding of the potential environmental health consequences of nanomaterials over the entire life cycle.

The present Special Issue in Nanomaterials aims to present the current state of the art in the environmental risk assessments and characterisation of nanomaterials. This Issue addresses the novel methodologies that may be used to assess the relevant and adequate risks to the environment. The problem-specific use of integrated testing strategies and the knowledge of modes or mechanisms of action will also be discussed.

In the present Special Issue, we will present contributions from leading research groups from various related research areas to give a balanced picture of the current state of the art in this discipline.

Dr. Mónika Molnár
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental health and safety
  • environmental risk assessments
  • predicted environmental concentration (PEC)
  • predicted no effect concentration (PNEC)
  • ecotoxicity assessment of nanomaterials
  • life-cycle consideration

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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24 pages, 3848 KiB  
Article
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Graphene Oxides Using Test Organisms from Three Hierarchical Trophic Levels to Evaluate Their Potential Environmental Risk
by Imre Németh, Krisztina László, Anna Bulátkó, Emese Vaszita and Mónika Molnár
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(21), 2858; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13212858 - 28 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1617
Abstract
After more than a decade of studying the ecotoxicity of graphene oxide nanomaterials (nGOs), it has been concluded that there is limited information available regarding the environmental risk of graphene-based materials. Since existing ecotoxicological studies of nanomaterials have produced contradictory results, it is [...] Read more.
After more than a decade of studying the ecotoxicity of graphene oxide nanomaterials (nGOs), it has been concluded that there is limited information available regarding the environmental risk of graphene-based materials. Since existing ecotoxicological studies of nanomaterials have produced contradictory results, it is recommended that case-by-case studies should be conducted to evaluate their effects. This can be carried out by employing several methods, testing species from different trophic levels, and conducting community studies. Our goal was to evaluate the toxicity effects of two GOs (AF 96/97 and PM 995) derived from different graphite precursors on various test organisms from diverse trophic levels (bacteria, protozoa, a freshwater microbial community, plants, and invertebrate animals) in aquatic environments. We compared the effects of both nGO types and estimated the predicted no-effect environmental concentration (PNEC) values to determine their potential environmental risk. Our findings demonstrated the need for a complex ecotoxicity toolkit since the ecotoxicity results varied based on the test organism, the selected endpoints, and the test method used. Additionally, we found that toxicity effects were dependent on the concentration and characteristics of the specific nGO type used, as well as the exposure time. We estimated the PNEC values for GO AF 96/97 and GO PM 995 in the aquatic compartment to be 8 ng/L and 4 ng/L, respectively. Even after applying the worst-case scenario approach, the tested nGOs pose no environmental risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessments and Characterization of Nanomaterials)
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21 pages, 6166 KiB  
Article
Environmentally Benign pSOFC for Emissions-Free Energy: Assessment of Nickel Network Resistance in Anodic Ni/BCY15 Nanocatalyst
by Margarita Gabrovska, Dimitrinka Nikolova, Hristo Kolev, Daniela Karashanova, Peter Tzvetkov, Blagoy Burdin, Emiliya Mladenova, Daria Vladikova and Tatyana Tabakova
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(11), 1781; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111781 - 31 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1751
Abstract
Yttrium-doped barium cerate (BCY15) was used as ceramic matrix to obtain Ni/BCY15 anode cermet for application in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (pSOFC). Ni/BCY15 cermets were prepared in two different types of medium, namely deionized water (W) and anhydrous ethylene glycol (EG) using [...] Read more.
Yttrium-doped barium cerate (BCY15) was used as ceramic matrix to obtain Ni/BCY15 anode cermet for application in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (pSOFC). Ni/BCY15 cermets were prepared in two different types of medium, namely deionized water (W) and anhydrous ethylene glycol (EG) using wet chemical synthesis by hydrazine. An in-depth analysis of anodic nickel catalyst was made aiming to elucidate the effect of anode tablets’ preparation by high temperature treatment on the resistance of metallic Ni in Ni/BCY15-W and Ni/BCY15-EG anode catalysts. On purpose reoxidation upon high-temperature treatment (1100 °C for 1 h) in air ambience was accomplished. Detailed characterization of reoxidized Ni/BCY15-W-1100 and Ni/BCY15-EG-1100 anode catalysts by means of surface and bulk analysis was performed. XPS, HRTEM, TPR, and impedance spectroscopy measurements experimentally confirmed the presence of residual metallic Ni in the anode catalyst prepared in ethylene glycol medium. These findings were evidence of strong metal Ni network resistance to oxidation in anodic Ni/BCY15-EG. Enhanced resistance of the metal Ni phase contributed to a new microstructure of the Ni/BCY15-EG-1100 anode cermet getting more stable to changes that cause degradation during operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessments and Characterization of Nanomaterials)
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17 pages, 3343 KiB  
Article
Copper(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes Based on Abietate Ligands from Pinus Resin: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Antibacterial and Antiviral Activity against SARS-CoV-2
by Jamille de S. Correa, Julia de O. Primo, Nayara Balaba, Christoph Pratsch, Stephan Werner, Henrique E. Toma, Fauze J. Anaissi, Ruddy Wattiez, Cristina M. Zanette, Rob C. A. Onderwater and Carla Bittencourt
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071202 - 28 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3665
Abstract
Co-abietate and Cu-abietate complexes were obtained by a low-cost and eco-friendly route. The synthesis process used Pinus elliottii resin and an aqueous solution of CuSO4/CoSO4 at a mild temperature (80 °C) without organic solvents. The obtained complexes are functional pigments [...] Read more.
Co-abietate and Cu-abietate complexes were obtained by a low-cost and eco-friendly route. The synthesis process used Pinus elliottii resin and an aqueous solution of CuSO4/CoSO4 at a mild temperature (80 °C) without organic solvents. The obtained complexes are functional pigments for commercial architectural paints with antipathogenic activity. The pigments were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), mass spectrometry (MS), thermogravimetry (TG), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and colorimetric analysis. In addition, the antibacterial efficiency was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and the antiviral tests followed an adaptation of the ISO 21702:2019 guideline. Finally, virus inactivation was measured using the RT-PCR protocol using 10% (w/w) of abietate complex in commercial white paint. The Co-abietate and Cu-abietate showed inactivation of >4 log against SARS-CoV-2 and a MIC value of 4.50 µg·mL−1 against both bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results suggest that the obtained Co-abietate and Cu-abietate complexes could be applied as pigments in architectural paints for healthcare centers, homes, and public places. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Risk Assessments and Characterization of Nanomaterials)
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