Nanoscale Materials for Detection and Remediation of Water Pollutants

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 967

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National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Donat Street, No. 67-103, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: nanomaterials; nanotechnology; carbon-based materials preparation and characterization; graphene; green chemistry; electrochemistry; detection protocols; sensors; graphene-based modified electrodes; electrochemical mechanisms; portable sensing solutions; food science; polyphenols; nanomedicine
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, water pollution with different types of chemicals, waste products, or microorganisms critically impacts human health and the environment, causing severe economic consequences. In this context, the enforcement of stricter regulations raising public awareness and education on pollution prevention and water conservation and, even more, the development of innovative solutions that can enhance the detection and remediation of pollutants are essential for ecosystem preservation, ensuring sustainable access to clean water for future generations. Through interdisciplinary research, this Special Issue aims to showcase the cutting-edge advancements in nanoscale technologies and innovative designs to address critical challenges in water pollution, related to effective monitoring, detection, removal, and neutralization of various contaminants. We invite authors to submit both original research and review articles exploring the design, synthesis, characterization, and applicability of nanostructured materials that offer enhanced sensitivity and efficiency in detecting and removing a wide range of organic/inorganic contaminants and pathogens, highlighting such materials’ unique properties that enable their superior performance in sensing and filtration system technologies. Additionally, research on the environmental implications and potential risks associated with contaminants’ presence in real-world scenarios is welcome. By showcasing recent research and technological breakthroughs, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how nanoscale materials can be harnessed for sustainable and effective environmental remediation strategies, paving the way for safer and cleaner water resources and improved public health.

Dr. Lidia Magerusan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nanostructured materials
  • water pollution
  • water analysis
  • electrochemical detection
  • organic pollutants
  • inorganic pollutants
  • pathogens
  • sensors
  • filtration systems
  • water remediation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1774 KiB  
Article
Rapid and Ultrasensitive Short-Chain PFAS (GenX) Detection in Water via Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with a Hierarchical Nanofibrous Substrate
by Ali K. Ismail, Shobha Mantripragada, Renzun Zhao, Sherine O. Obare and Lifeng Zhang
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(9), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15090655 (registering DOI) - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 85
Abstract
GenX, the trade name of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and its ammonium salt, is a short-chain PFAS that has emerged as a substitute for the legacy PFAS perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, GenX has turned out to be more toxic than people originally [...] Read more.
GenX, the trade name of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and its ammonium salt, is a short-chain PFAS that has emerged as a substitute for the legacy PFAS perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, GenX has turned out to be more toxic than people originally thought. In order to monitor and regulate water quality according to recently issued drinking water standards for GenX, rapid and ultrasensitive detection of GenX is urgently needed. For the first time, this study reports ultrasensitive (as low as 1 part per billion (ppb)) and fast detection (in minutes) of GenX in water via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using a hierarchical nanofibrous SERS substrate, which was prepared by assembling ~60 nm Ag nanoparticles on electrospun nylon-6 nanofibers through a “hot start” method. The findings in this research highlight the potential of the engineered hierarchical nanofibrous SERS substrate for enhanced detection of short-chain PFASs in water, contributing to the improvement of environmental monitoring and management strategies for PFASs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Detection and Remediation of Water Pollutants)
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25 pages, 7148 KiB  
Article
Biosynthesis Scale-Up Process for Magnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Using Eucalyptus globulus Extract and Their Separation Properties in Lubricant–Water Emulsions
by Yacu Vicente Alca-Ramos, Noemi-Raquel Checca-Huaman, Renzo Rueda-Vellasmin, Edson Caetano Passamani and Juan A. Ramos-Guivar
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(5), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15050382 - 1 Mar 2025
Viewed by 695
Abstract
The use of natural organic extracts in nanoparticle synthesis can reduce environmental impacts and reagent costs. With that purpose in mind, a novel biosynthesis procedure for the formation of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using Eucalyptus globulus extract in an aqueous medium has been [...] Read more.
The use of natural organic extracts in nanoparticle synthesis can reduce environmental impacts and reagent costs. With that purpose in mind, a novel biosynthesis procedure for the formation of magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using Eucalyptus globulus extract in an aqueous medium has been systematically carried out. First, the biosynthesis was optimized for various extract concentrations, prepared by decoction and infusion methods, and yielded IONPs with sizes from 4 to 9 nm. The optimum concentration was found at 5% w/v, where the biosynthesis reaction time and ammonium hydroxide amount were the lowest of all samples. This extract concentration was tested, including in replicated samples, for a scale-up process, yielded a total mass of 70 g. It was found by Rietveld and electron microscopy analyses that the structural and morphological properties, such as crystalline and particle sizes (9 nm), are equivalent when scaling the synthesis process. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy results indicated that Fe ions are atomically ordered and in a trivalent state in all samples, corroborating with structural results found by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic analysis showed that the scale-up sample exhibited ferrimagnetic-like behavior suitable for magnetic remediation performance (55 emu g−1). The eucalyptus functionalization was demonstrated by thermogravimetric measurements, whereas the colloidal analysis supported the stability of the magnetic suspensions at pH = 7 (zeta potential > −20 mV). The kinetic adsorption performance indicated a fast kinetic adsorption time of 40 min and remarkable removal efficiency of 96% for lubricant removal from water (emulsion systems). The infrared analysis confirmed the presence of the eucalyptus chemical groups even after the removal experiments. These results suggest that the scale-up sample can be recovered for future and sustainable magnetic remediation processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Detection and Remediation of Water Pollutants)
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