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Nanomaterials
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Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition
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Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2024 | Viewed by 7707

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lucia Rocco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Interests: environmental pollutants; nanomaterials; genetic ecotoxicology; sperm DNA damage; anti-genotoxicity; cell death (apoptosis)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few decades, due to the intensive development of nanotechnology, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been released, intentionally or accidentally, into the environment. The number of ecotoxicological studies for ENMs has rapidly increased over the past few years and they have raised several critical issues.

On the other hand, the application of nanotechnology to the environment includes the use of ENMs to clean up polluted media, such as soil, water, air, groundwater, and wastewater (nanoremediation).

Nanotechnologies also have the potential to have disadvantages as well as confer benefits in terms of the exposure of humans to new nanomaterials. ENMs influence human safety by environmental pollution, unintentional exposure (e.g., due to pollution or exposure at the workplace), and purposeful exposure by the intended application (nanomedicine).

The objective of this Special Issue of Nanomaterials is to highlight advances in the environmental and health applications of ENMs. Topics of particular interest include:

  • The influence of ENMs on environmental pollution and associated organisms;
  • Sustainable (nano)solutions for environmental remediation;
  • Effects of exposure to ENMs on human health;
  • New ENMs for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease; and
  • ENMs for the identification of disease biomarkers.

Dr. Lucia Rocco
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 2900 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

  • engineered nanomaterials
  • nanotechnology
  • human health
  • environmental health and safety
  • nanoremediation
  • ecosafety
  • nanotoxicity

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 8706 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au Nanoarrays through DC Electrodeposition Utilizing Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Membranes for Environmental Application
by Mohamed Shaban
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(19), 2667; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13192667 - 28 Sep 2023
Viewed by 727
Abstract
In this study, anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAOMs) and Au-coated AAOMs (AAOM/Au) with pore diameters of 55 nm and inter-pore spacing of 100 nm are used to develop ZnO/AAOM and ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au nanoarrays of different morphologies. The effects of the [...] Read more.
In this study, anodic aluminum oxide membranes (AAOMs) and Au-coated AAOMs (AAOM/Au) with pore diameters of 55 nm and inter-pore spacing of 100 nm are used to develop ZnO/AAOM and ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au nanoarrays of different morphologies. The effects of the electrodeposition current, time, barrier layer, and Au coating on the morphology of the resultant nanostructures were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the structural parameters and elemental composition of the ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au nanoarray, and the Kirkendall effect was confirmed. The developed ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au electrode was applied to remove organic dyes from aqueous solutions, including methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO). Using a 3 cm2 ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au sample, the 100% dye removal for 20 ppm MB and MO dyes at pH 7 and 25 °C was achieved after approximately 50 and 180 min, respectively. According to the kinetics analysis, the pseudo-second-order model controls the dye adsorption onto the sample surface. AAOM/Au and ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au nanoarrays are also used as pH sensor electrodes. The sensing capability of AAOM/Au showed Nernstian behavior with a sensitivity of 65.1 mV/pH (R2 = 0.99) in a wide pH range of 2–9 and a detection limit of pH 12.6, whereas the ZnO/ZnAl2O4/Au electrode showed a slope of 40.1 ± 1.6 mV/pH (R2 = 0.996) in a pH range of 2–6. The electrode’s behavior was more consistent with non-Nernstian behavior over the whole pH range under investigation. The sensitivity equation was given by V(mV) = 482.6 + 372.6 e−0.2095 pH at 25 °C with R2 = 1.0, which could be explained in terms of changes in the surface charge during protonation and deprotonation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition)
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12 pages, 1258 KiB  
Article
Eco-Friendly Engineered Nanomaterials Coupled with Filtering Fine-Mesh Net as a Promising Tool to Remediate Contaminated Freshwater Sludges: An Ecotoxicity Investigation
by Patrizia Guidi, Margherita Bernardeschi, Mara Palumbo, Isabella Buttino, Valentina Vitiello, Vittoria Scarcelli, Gianluca Chiaretti, Andrea Fiorati, David Pellegrini, Lorenzo Pontorno, Lisa Bonciani, Carlo Punta, Ilaria Corsi and Giada Frenzilli
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 396; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13030396 - 18 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1260
Abstract
The use of eco-friendly engineered nanomaterials represents a recent solution for an effective and safe treatment of contaminated dredging sludge. In this study, an eco-designed engineered material based on cross-linked nanocellulose (CNS) was applied for the first time to decontaminate a real matrix [...] Read more.
The use of eco-friendly engineered nanomaterials represents a recent solution for an effective and safe treatment of contaminated dredging sludge. In this study, an eco-designed engineered material based on cross-linked nanocellulose (CNS) was applied for the first time to decontaminate a real matrix from heavy metals (namely Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe) and other undesired elements (mainly Ba and As) in a lab-scale study, with the aim to design a safe solution for the remediation of contaminated matrices. Contaminated freshwater sludge was treated with CNS coupled with a filtering fine-mesh net, and the obtained waters were tested for acute and sublethal toxicity. In order to check the safety of the proposed treatment system, toxicity tests were conducted by exposing the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens, while subtoxicity biomarkers such as lysosomal membrane stability, genetic, and chromosomal damage assessment were performed on the freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha. Dredging sludge was found to be genotoxic, and such genotoxicity was mitigated by the combined use of CNS and a filtering fine-mesh net. Chemical analyses confirmed the results by highlighting the abetment of target contaminants, indicating the present model as a promising tool in freshwater sludge nanoremediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition)
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17 pages, 2584 KiB  
Article
Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from the Extremophile Plant Aeonium haworthii and Their Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti-Diabetic Capacities
by Badiaa Essghaier, Rihab Dridi, Filomena Mottola, Lucia Rocco, Mohamed Faouzi Zid and Hédia Hannachi
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 100; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13010100 - 25 Dec 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
The present paper described the first green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the extremophile plant Aeonium haworthii. The characterization of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was carried out by using UV-Vis, FTIR and STM analysis. The antioxidant, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties were [...] Read more.
The present paper described the first green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the extremophile plant Aeonium haworthii. The characterization of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was carried out by using UV-Vis, FTIR and STM analysis. The antioxidant, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties were also reported. The newly described AgNPs were spherical in shape and had a size of 35–55 nm. The lowest IC50 values measured by the DPPH assay indicate the superior antioxidant behavior of our AgNPs as opposed to ascorbic acid. The silver nanoparticles show high antidiabetic activity determined by the inhibitory effect of α amylase as compared to the standard Acarbose. Moreover, the AgNPs inhibit bacterial growth owing to a bactericidal effect with the MIC values varying from 0.017 to 1.7 µg/mL. The antifungal action was evaluated against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida sake and non-dermatophytic onychomycosis fungi. A strong inhibitory effect on Candida factors’ virulence was observed as proteinase and phospholipase limitations. In addition, the microscopic observations show that the silver nanoparticles cause the eradication of blastospores and block filamentous morphogenesis. The combination of the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic behaviors of the new biosynthesized silver nanoparticles highlights their promising use as natural phytomedicine agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition)
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19 pages, 1555 KiB  
Article
Dissolution Behaviour of Metal-Oxide Nanomaterials in Various Biological Media
by Mary-Luyza Avramescu, Marc Chénier, Suzanne Beauchemin and Pat Rasmussen
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 26; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano13010026 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1571
Abstract
Toxicological effects of metal-oxide-engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are closely related to their distinct physical–chemical properties, especially solubility and surface reactivity. The present study used five metal-oxide ENMs (ZnO, MnO2, CeO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 [...] Read more.
Toxicological effects of metal-oxide-engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are closely related to their distinct physical–chemical properties, especially solubility and surface reactivity. The present study used five metal-oxide ENMs (ZnO, MnO2, CeO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3) to investigate how various biologically relevant media influenced dissolution behaviour. In both water and cell culture medium (DMEM), the metal-oxide ENMs were more soluble than their bulk analogues, with the exception that bulk-MnO2 was slightly more soluble in water than nano-MnO2 and Fe2O3 displayed negligible solubility across all tested media (regardless of particle size). Lowering the initial concentration (10 mg/L vs. 100 mg/L) significantly increased the relative solubility (% of total concentration) of nano-ZnO and nano-MnO2 in both water and DMEM. Nano-Al2O3 and nano-CeO2 were impacted differently by the two media (significantly higher % solubility at 10 mg/L in DMEM vs. water). Further evaluation of simulated interstitial lung fluid (Gamble’s solution) and phagolysosomal simulant fluid (PSF) showed that the selection of aqueous media significantly affected agglomeration and dissolution behaviour. The solubility of all investigated ENMs was significantly higher in DMEM (pH = 7.4) compared to Gamble’s (pH 7.4), attributable to the presence of amino acids and proteins in DMEM. All ENMs showed low solubility in Gamble’s (pH = 7.4) compared with PSF (pH = 4.5), attributable to the difference in pH. These observations are relevant to nanotoxicology as increased nanomaterial solubility also affects toxicity. The results demonstrated that, for the purpose of grouping and read-across efforts, the dissolution behaviour of metal-oxide ENMs should be evaluated using aqueous media representative of the exposure pathway being considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition)
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15 pages, 3452 KiB  
Article
Reduced Graphene Oxide-Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds as a Multifunctional and Highly Biocompatible Nanocomposite for Wound Healing: Insights into Characterization and Electroconductive Potential
by Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo and Juan C. Cruz
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(16), 2857; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12162857 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1676
Abstract
The development of novel regenerative technologies based on the implementation of natural extracellular matrix (ECM), or individual components of ECM combined with multifunctional nanomaterials such as graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide, has demonstrated remarkable results in wound healing and tissue engineering. However, [...] Read more.
The development of novel regenerative technologies based on the implementation of natural extracellular matrix (ECM), or individual components of ECM combined with multifunctional nanomaterials such as graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide, has demonstrated remarkable results in wound healing and tissue engineering. However, the synthesis of these nanocomposites involves great challenges related to maintaining the biocompatibility with a simultaneous improvement in their functionalities. Based on that, in this research we developed novel nanoengineered ECM-scaffolds formed by mixing small intestinal submucosa (SIS) with graphene oxide (GO)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to improve electrical conductivity while maintaining remarkable biocompatibility. For this, decellularized SIS was combined with GO to form the scaffold precursor for subsequent lyophilization, chemically crosslinking and in situ reduction. The obtained GO and rGO were characterized via Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical conductivity testing and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results confirm the suitable synthesis of GO, the effective reduction to rGO and the significant increase in the electrical conductivity (more than four orders of magnitude higher than bare GO). In addition, the graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide-SIS scaffolds were characterized via Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, TGA, SEM, porosity assay (higher than 97.5% in all cases) and protein secondary structural analysis. Moreover, the biocompatibility of scaffolds was studied by standardized assays of hemolysis activity (less than 0.5%), platelet activation and deposition, and cell viability in Vero, HaCat and HFF-1 cells (higher than 90% for all evaluated cell lines on the different scaffolds). The obtained results confirm the remarkable biocompatibility, as supported by high hemocompatibility, low cytotoxicity and no negative impact on platelet activation and deposition. Finally, structural characteristics such as pore size and interconnectivity as well as superior cell attachment abilities also corroborated the potential of the developed nanoengineered ECM-scaffolds as a multifunctional nanoplatform for application in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineered Nanomaterials for Environmental and Health Applications: Second Edition)
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