Hanan Abu Hamad,Andy Sand,Naama Massad-Ivanir,Gilad Komash,Michal Pellach Leshem,Antolin Jesila Jesu Amalraj,Guy Mechrez,Nadav Pass,Eyal Kleine,Ester Segal
The intensive use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has raised serious environmental and human health concerns and has accelerated the emergence of resistant pest populations. Essential oils (EOs), natural plant-derived compounds with potent antimicrobial and insecticidal activities, represent a promising sustainable alternative for crop protection. However, their practical application is limited by high volatility, poor water solubility, environmental instability, and potential phytotoxicity. Here, we present a multifunctional plant-protection strategy based on aqueous dispersions of synergistic EO combinations, in which halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), naturally abundant tubular aluminosilicate clays, are used as EO carriers and interfacial stabilizers. Loading EOs into HNTs enhances thermal stability and supports the retention of bioactive compounds, while adsorption of HNTs at the oil-water interfaces imparts a Pickering-type stabilization effect, promoting the formation of stable aqueous dispersions and mitigating phytotoxicity. Initial screening identified carvacrol (CV), thymol (TY), cinnamaldehyde (CA), and geraniol (GE) as the most potent EO constituents against the phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum, the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, and insect pests. Two synergistic EO combinations, TY:CA and TY:GE, were subsequently identified and loaded into HNTs. The resulting formulations were characterized in terms of their structure, stability, and biological performance and evaluated on plant foliage under both laboratory and field conditions. Field-scale assays demonstrated that the HNT/TY:GE (1:4) formulation exhibited strong insecticidal activity against model aphids and spider mites, achieving >85% mortality at 2.0% w/w EO content under the tested short-term conditions. Its efficacy was comparable to or greater than that of the tested commercial insecticides, while showing a reduced phytotoxicity profile relative to the corresponding EO emulsions. Antifungal assays further revealed pronounced activity, reducing disease incidence and fungal colonization on pepper plants.
{"title":"Sustainable essential oil-halloysite nanotube dispersions exert highly effective pest control activity with minimal phytotoxicity","authors":"Hanan Abu Hamad,Andy Sand,Naama Massad-Ivanir,Gilad Komash,Michal Pellach Leshem,Antolin Jesila Jesu Amalraj,Guy Mechrez,Nadav Pass,Eyal Kleine,Ester Segal","doi":"10.1039/d6en00207b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00207b","url":null,"abstract":"The intensive use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has raised serious environmental and human health concerns and has accelerated the emergence of resistant pest populations. Essential oils (EOs), natural plant-derived compounds with potent antimicrobial and insecticidal activities, represent a promising sustainable alternative for crop protection. However, their practical application is limited by high volatility, poor water solubility, environmental instability, and potential phytotoxicity. Here, we present a multifunctional plant-protection strategy based on aqueous dispersions of synergistic EO combinations, in which halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), naturally abundant tubular aluminosilicate clays, are used as EO carriers and interfacial stabilizers. Loading EOs into HNTs enhances thermal stability and supports the retention of bioactive compounds, while adsorption of HNTs at the oil-water interfaces imparts a Pickering-type stabilization effect, promoting the formation of stable aqueous dispersions and mitigating phytotoxicity. Initial screening identified carvacrol (CV), thymol (TY), cinnamaldehyde (CA), and geraniol (GE) as the most potent EO constituents against the phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum, the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, and insect pests. Two synergistic EO combinations, TY:CA and TY:GE, were subsequently identified and loaded into HNTs. The resulting formulations were characterized in terms of their structure, stability, and biological performance and evaluated on plant foliage under both laboratory and field conditions. Field-scale assays demonstrated that the HNT/TY:GE (1:4) formulation exhibited strong insecticidal activity against model aphids and spider mites, achieving >85% mortality at 2.0% w/w EO content under the tested short-term conditions. Its efficacy was comparable to or greater than that of the tested commercial insecticides, while showing a reduced phytotoxicity profile relative to the corresponding EO emulsions. Antifungal assays further revealed pronounced activity, reducing disease incidence and fungal colonization on pepper plants.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"82 4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148877569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vinicius S. Santos,Gustavo Metzker,Isabela C. Constantino,Antonio C. Roveda Jr.,Valmor R. Mastelaro,Márcia C. Bisinoti,Altair B. Moreira
Lignin is an abundant by-product of the pulp process and is commonly considered a low-value material, highlighting the need for innovative technological applications. In this study, a novel one-step synthesis of fluorescent nanolignin (FNL) was achieved through a hydrothermal process using Kraft lignin, water and H2SO4 without requiring any kind of purification steps. The synthesis process was optimized to enhance the fluorescence yield, producing FNL particles with sizes ranging from 50 to 350 nm, with intense and sharp fluorescence at λexcitation = 230 nm and a quantum yield of 2.22% at λemission = 340 nm. The Cr(vi) fluorometric sensing was evaluated, achieving a limit of detection and quantification of 0.37 μmol L−1 and 1.11 μmol L−1, respectively, with no significant matrix effect in the studied matrices (deionized water, bottled water and groundwater). Investigation of the sensing mechanism reveals that Cr(vi) is reduced to Cr(iii), a significantly less toxic species, through reaction with the aromatic groups of FNL, which explains the observed fluorescence quenching. These findings show a promising application of FNL in environmental remediation.
{"title":"One-step synthesis of fluorescent nanolignin for chromium() fluorometric detection and reduction","authors":"Vinicius S. Santos,Gustavo Metzker,Isabela C. Constantino,Antonio C. Roveda Jr.,Valmor R. Mastelaro,Márcia C. Bisinoti,Altair B. Moreira","doi":"10.1039/d6en00583g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00583g","url":null,"abstract":"Lignin is an abundant by-product of the pulp process and is commonly considered a low-value material, highlighting the need for innovative technological applications. In this study, a novel one-step synthesis of fluorescent nanolignin (FNL) was achieved through a hydrothermal process using Kraft lignin, water and H2SO4 without requiring any kind of purification steps. The synthesis process was optimized to enhance the fluorescence yield, producing FNL particles with sizes ranging from 50 to 350 nm, with intense and sharp fluorescence at λexcitation = 230 nm and a quantum yield of 2.22% at λemission = 340 nm. The Cr(vi) fluorometric sensing was evaluated, achieving a limit of detection and quantification of 0.37 μmol L−1 and 1.11 μmol L−1, respectively, with no significant matrix effect in the studied matrices (deionized water, bottled water and groundwater). Investigation of the sensing mechanism reveals that Cr(vi) is reduced to Cr(iii), a significantly less toxic species, through reaction with the aromatic groups of FNL, which explains the observed fluorescence quenching. These findings show a promising application of FNL in environmental remediation.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148877573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mercury (Hg) is a persistent global pollutant. This review synthesizes recent advances in nanoscale mercury (nHg, particles with at least one dimension of 1–100 nm) in aquatic environments, covering mercury sulfide (HgSNPs), mercury selenide (HgSeNPs), elemental mercury (Hg(0)NPs) and carrier-bound divalent mercury (Hg(II)NPs). Compared with dissolved or bulk Hg phases, nHg exhibits distinct dissolution, redox transformation, aggregation and biological uptake behaviors. We elaborate on nHg environmental speciation transformation, cellular uptake pathways, intracellular dissolution/methylation processes and molecular toxicity mechanisms, and highlight the regulatory roles of intrinsic particle properties (crystal phase, surface defects, size) and extrinsic factors (dissolved organic matter, light irradiation, microbial activity, biomolecular corona) in governing nHg bioavailability. Critical research gaps in in situ speciation characterization, quantitative biotransformation-toxicity relationships and long-term risk assessment are further identified, to support more realistic nHg risk evaluation under the Minamata Convention.
{"title":"Speciation Transformation and Toxic Effects of Nanoscale Mercury in Aquatic Environment","authors":"Jiang Yu,Fan Li,Neng Yan,Jianbo Shi","doi":"10.1039/d6en00420b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00420b","url":null,"abstract":"Mercury (Hg) is a persistent global pollutant. This review synthesizes recent advances in nanoscale mercury (nHg, particles with at least one dimension of 1–100 nm) in aquatic environments, covering mercury sulfide (HgSNPs), mercury selenide (HgSeNPs), elemental mercury (Hg(0)NPs) and carrier-bound divalent mercury (Hg(II)NPs). Compared with dissolved or bulk Hg phases, nHg exhibits distinct dissolution, redox transformation, aggregation and biological uptake behaviors. We elaborate on nHg environmental speciation transformation, cellular uptake pathways, intracellular dissolution/methylation processes and molecular toxicity mechanisms, and highlight the regulatory roles of intrinsic particle properties (crystal phase, surface defects, size) and extrinsic factors (dissolved organic matter, light irradiation, microbial activity, biomolecular corona) in governing nHg bioavailability. Critical research gaps in in situ speciation characterization, quantitative biotransformation-toxicity relationships and long-term risk assessment are further identified, to support more realistic nHg risk evaluation under the Minamata Convention.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"106 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) are among the most common types of nanoparticles in the environment (e.g., soil), and passing through cell membranes, they can accumulate within an animal's body. Based on our experience with cultivation and cytotoxicity studies on the soil centipede Lithobius forficatus, we decided to analyze cytotoxicological parameters induced (or not) by PS-NPs present in the soil. Thus, the aim was to determine whether PS-NPs, after entering the cytoplasm, could affect organelles in midgut epithelial cells, induce changes in storage material, and activate autophagy. Individuals of L. forficatus were cultured in soil contaminated with PS-NPs at concentrations of 10 and 100 mg·kg⁻¹ for different periods, thus the following experimental groups were provided: 10L1,10L3, and 10L6 – the animals cultured in soil with 100 mg/kg dry mass of PS-NPs for 1, 3, and 6 months respectively; 100L1, 100L3, and 100L6 - animals cultured in soil with 100 mg/kg dry mass of PS-NPs for 1, 3, and 6 months respectively. An isolated midgut was prepared for ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy, which revealed changes in midgut cells depending on PS-NPs concentration and the duration of animal exposure. Confocal microscopy and histochemical reactions were used to analyze changes in storage materials and autophagy activation. The quantitative analysis was conducted using flow cytometry. The changes observed in midgut cells in animals cultured in soil contaminated with PS-NPs, depend on both nanoparticle concentration and exposure time. We observed an increase in the number of ROS-positive cells accompanied by increased vacuolization in midgut cells and changes in storage material levels. Thus, a clear link between oxidative stress, vacuolization, autophagy, and the accumulation of storage materials in maintaining midgut cell homeostasis in the presence of NPs in the soil was suggested. However, further studies on cell death, cell proliferation, and antioxidant systems are needed.
{"title":"Nanoplastics in the soil environment: toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in the soil centipede Lithobius forficatus (Myriapoda, Chilopoda)","authors":"Agata Aleksa,Łukasz Chajec,Anna Ostróżka,Grażyna Wilczek,Aleksandra Nadgórska-Socha,Sebastian Student,Katarzyna Sumis,Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska","doi":"10.1039/d6en00381h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00381h","url":null,"abstract":"Polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) are among the most common types of nanoparticles in the environment (e.g., soil), and passing through cell membranes, they can accumulate within an animal's body. Based on our experience with cultivation and cytotoxicity studies on the soil centipede Lithobius forficatus, we decided to analyze cytotoxicological parameters induced (or not) by PS-NPs present in the soil. Thus, the aim was to determine whether PS-NPs, after entering the cytoplasm, could affect organelles in midgut epithelial cells, induce changes in storage material, and activate autophagy. Individuals of L. forficatus were cultured in soil contaminated with PS-NPs at concentrations of 10 and 100 mg·kg⁻¹ for different periods, thus the following experimental groups were provided: 10L1,10L3, and 10L6 – the animals cultured in soil with 100 mg/kg dry mass of PS-NPs for 1, 3, and 6 months respectively; 100L1, 100L3, and 100L6 - animals cultured in soil with 100 mg/kg dry mass of PS-NPs for 1, 3, and 6 months respectively. An isolated midgut was prepared for ultrastructural analysis using transmission electron microscopy, which revealed changes in midgut cells depending on PS-NPs concentration and the duration of animal exposure. Confocal microscopy and histochemical reactions were used to analyze changes in storage materials and autophagy activation. The quantitative analysis was conducted using flow cytometry. The changes observed in midgut cells in animals cultured in soil contaminated with PS-NPs, depend on both nanoparticle concentration and exposure time. We observed an increase in the number of ROS-positive cells accompanied by increased vacuolization in midgut cells and changes in storage material levels. Thus, a clear link between oxidative stress, vacuolization, autophagy, and the accumulation of storage materials in maintaining midgut cell homeostasis in the presence of NPs in the soil was suggested. However, further studies on cell death, cell proliferation, and antioxidant systems are needed.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gourav Mondal,KASTURI CHARAN,Shreya Chakraborty,Vishnu D Rajput,Pradip Bhattacharyya
Green-synthesized nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) materials were developed using Mangifera indica (M-nZVI) and Psidium guajava (G-nZVI) leaf extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents for the efficient removal of As(V) from aqueous systems. The use of plant-derived phytochemicals served as reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis process. Characterization of the synthesized nZVI was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The XRD results confirmed the formation of crystalline Fe0 nanoparticles, while FTIR and XPS analyses revealed surface functional groups and iron oxide/hydroxide species on the nanoparticle surface. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that As(V) removal was strongly influenced by pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and temperature. Maximum removal efficiencies of 94.85% for G-nZVI and 77.43% for M-nZVI were achieved at pH 6, 1.5 g L-1 dosage, and 1000 µg L-1 initial concentration. Pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption kinetics, indicating the importance of surface-controlled adsorption process. Isotherm analysis showed that adsorption on G-nZVI followed the Langmuir model, whereas M-nZVI was better represented by the Temkin model, suggesting monolayer adsorption on G-nZVI surfaces and adsorbate-adsorbent interactions for M-nZVI. The adsorption process was found to be both spontaneous and endothermic through thermodynamic parameters. Process optimization using Box-Behnken design validated the statistical significance and predictive reliability of the developed quadratic models. Overall, nZVI synthesized via green route showed enhanced adsorption efficiency, highlighting its potential as an effective and eco-friendly material for arsenate removal from water.
以芒果叶提取物（M-nZVI）和番石榴叶提取物（G-nZVI）为还原剂和稳定剂，制备了绿色合成的纳米零价铁（nZVI）材料，用于高效去除水体系中的砷(V)。在合成过程中使用植物源性植物化学物质作为还原剂和稳定剂。利用x射线衍射（XRD）、傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱、x射线光电子能谱（XPS）、扫描电镜结合能量色散x射线能谱（SEM-EDS）对合成的nZVI进行了表征。XRD结果证实了Fe0纳米颗粒的结晶，FTIR和XPS分析显示了纳米颗粒表面的官能团和氧化铁/氢氧化物。批量吸附实验表明，pH、吸附剂剂量、初始浓度和温度对As(V)的去除率有较大影响。当pH为6、投加量为1.5 g L-1、初始浓度为1000µg L-1时，对g - nzvi的去除率为94.85%，对M-nZVI的去除率为77.43%。拟二阶模型最能描述吸附动力学，表明了表面控制吸附过程的重要性。等温线分析表明，G-nZVI的吸附符合Langmuir模型，而M-nZVI的吸附更符合Temkin模型，说明M-nZVI在G-nZVI表面的单层吸附和吸附剂-吸附剂相互作用。通过热力学参数分析，发现吸附过程是自发的，也是吸热的。采用Box-Behnken设计进行工艺优化，验证了所建立的二次模型的统计显著性和预测可靠性。总体而言，通过绿色途径合成的nZVI具有更高的吸附效率，突出了其作为高效环保的水中砷酸盐去除材料的潜力。
{"title":"Green-synthesized nano zero-valent iron from Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica leaves for efficient arsenate removal: adsorption behaviour, mechanism and process optimization","authors":"Gourav Mondal,KASTURI CHARAN,Shreya Chakraborty,Vishnu D Rajput,Pradip Bhattacharyya","doi":"10.1039/d6en00360e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00360e","url":null,"abstract":"Green-synthesized nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) materials were developed using Mangifera indica (M-nZVI) and Psidium guajava (G-nZVI) leaf extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents for the efficient removal of As(V) from aqueous systems. The use of plant-derived phytochemicals served as reducing and stabilizing agent during synthesis process. Characterization of the synthesized nZVI was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The XRD results confirmed the formation of crystalline Fe0 nanoparticles, while FTIR and XPS analyses revealed surface functional groups and iron oxide/hydroxide species on the nanoparticle surface. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that As(V) removal was strongly influenced by pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and temperature. Maximum removal efficiencies of 94.85% for G-nZVI and 77.43% for M-nZVI were achieved at pH 6, 1.5 g L-1 dosage, and 1000 µg L-1 initial concentration. Pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption kinetics, indicating the importance of surface-controlled adsorption process. Isotherm analysis showed that adsorption on G-nZVI followed the Langmuir model, whereas M-nZVI was better represented by the Temkin model, suggesting monolayer adsorption on G-nZVI surfaces and adsorbate-adsorbent interactions for M-nZVI. The adsorption process was found to be both spontaneous and endothermic through thermodynamic parameters. Process optimization using Box-Behnken design validated the statistical significance and predictive reliability of the developed quadratic models. Overall, nZVI synthesized via green route showed enhanced adsorption efficiency, highlighting its potential as an effective and eco-friendly material for arsenate removal from water.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) is a high-priority environmental contaminant due to its acute toxicity, corrosivity, and continuous release from industrial operations, wastewater treatment, biogas upgrading, geothermal activity, and anaerobic natural systems. Existing H₂S control technologies are frequently energy-intensive, chemically inefficient, and poorly suited to low-concentration or distributed emission sources. Recent advances in environmental nanoscience have enabled fundamentally new strategies for regulating H₂S behaviour through precise control of reactions at nano–environment interfaces. This Review critically evaluates contemporary progress Carbon Dots (C-Dots) and carbon quantum Dots (CQDs)-mediated H₂S dynamics, with a focus on mechanistic understanding of interfacial adsorption, charge transfer, defect-driven activation, and catalytic transformation under environmentally relevant conditions. We examine how functionalization, surface chemistry, defect density, and heterointerface engineering govern H₂S selectivity, reactivity, and fate across gaseous, aqueous, and multiphase systems. Particular attention is given to ultrasensitive nanostructured sensing platforms, engineered nano-adsorbents with tunable sulfur affinity, and photocatalytic and electrochemical architectures that enable the conversion of H₂S into elemental sulfur, sulfate, and hydrogen, thereby coupling pollution mitigation with resource recovery. Emerging multifunctional nanomaterials that integrate sensing, capture, and transformation within single platforms are highlighted as a key direction for next-generation environmental technologies. Finally, we assess critical challenges related to material durability, regeneration, scalability, environmental fate, and lifecycle sustainability. Unlike previous reviews that independently discuss Carbon Dot sensing or photocatalytic applications, this review establishes a unified mechanistic framework connecting synthesis strategies, interfacial adsorption, charge transfer, defect engineering, environmental transformations, and sustainability considerations. By integrating these aspects, it provides rational design principles for developing multifunctional Carbon Dot platforms capable of simultaneous H₂S sensing, capture, catalytic conversion, and environmentally sustainable sulfur management.
{"title":"Carbon Dots-Mediated Hydrogen Sulfide Dynamics: Mechanisms, Environmental Transformations, and Sustainable Applications","authors":"Nikky Sharma,Tejasvi Pandey,Vinit Grewal,Vivek Pandey","doi":"10.1039/d6en00148c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00148c","url":null,"abstract":"Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) is a high-priority environmental contaminant due to its acute toxicity, corrosivity, and continuous release from industrial operations, wastewater treatment, biogas upgrading, geothermal activity, and anaerobic natural systems. Existing H₂S control technologies are frequently energy-intensive, chemically inefficient, and poorly suited to low-concentration or distributed emission sources. Recent advances in environmental nanoscience have enabled fundamentally new strategies for regulating H₂S behaviour through precise control of reactions at nano–environment interfaces. This Review critically evaluates contemporary progress Carbon Dots (C-Dots) and carbon quantum Dots (CQDs)-mediated H₂S dynamics, with a focus on mechanistic understanding of interfacial adsorption, charge transfer, defect-driven activation, and catalytic transformation under environmentally relevant conditions. We examine how functionalization, surface chemistry, defect density, and heterointerface engineering govern H₂S selectivity, reactivity, and fate across gaseous, aqueous, and multiphase systems. Particular attention is given to ultrasensitive nanostructured sensing platforms, engineered nano-adsorbents with tunable sulfur affinity, and photocatalytic and electrochemical architectures that enable the conversion of H₂S into elemental sulfur, sulfate, and hydrogen, thereby coupling pollution mitigation with resource recovery. Emerging multifunctional nanomaterials that integrate sensing, capture, and transformation within single platforms are highlighted as a key direction for next-generation environmental technologies. Finally, we assess critical challenges related to material durability, regeneration, scalability, environmental fate, and lifecycle sustainability. Unlike previous reviews that independently discuss Carbon Dot sensing or photocatalytic applications, this review establishes a unified mechanistic framework connecting synthesis strategies, interfacial adsorption, charge transfer, defect engineering, environmental transformations, and sustainability considerations. By integrating these aspects, it provides rational design principles for developing multifunctional Carbon Dot platforms capable of simultaneous H₂S sensing, capture, catalytic conversion, and environmentally sustainable sulfur management.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"211 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The increasing burden of hazardous environmental pollutants in water, soil, and air has intensified the need for rapid, sensitive, and deployable analytical technologies capable of realtime risk assessment. Conventional instrumental techniques, although highly accurate, remain constrained by high operational costs, complex sample preparation, and limited field applicability, hindering their use in continuous environmental monitoring. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as powerful alternatives for hazardous substance detection owing to their high sensitivity, rapid response, miniaturization capability, and suitability for on-site analysis.In recent years, polymer nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as advanced electrode materials due to their synergistic integration of conducting polymers with carbon nanostructures, metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, and twodimensional nanomaterials. These hybrid systems provide enhanced electrocatalytic activity, improved charge-transfer kinetics, and enlarged electroactive surface areas, enabling highly sensitive detection of environmentally relevant toxicants. This review critically evaluates recent advances in polymer nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of priority hazardous pollutants, including heavy metal ions, pesticides, phenolic compounds, nitroaromatic explosives, nitrite, and hydrazine. Key fabrication strategies, sensor architectures, and signal enhancement mechanisms are systematically discussed, with emphasis on structure-property-performance relationships.Particular attention is given to real-world deployment challenges, including electrode fouling, selectivity in complex matrices, long-term stability, reproducibility, and scalable fabrication.The review further highlights emerging trends in multifunctional nanocomposites and portable sensing platforms, providing insights into their role in next-generation environmental hazard monitoring and early warning systems.
{"title":"Polymer Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Hazardous Environmental Pollutants: Advances in Materials Design, Detection Strategies, and Practical Deployment","authors":"Veeramani Mangala Gowri,Yern Chee Ching,Kuan Yong Ching,Subhashini D,SHANMUGARAJ KRISHNAMOORTHY,H. Ganesha,Rajaji Pavadai,Theelada Panleam,Warit Bunrueang,Sirikanjana Thongmee","doi":"10.1039/d6en00463f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00463f","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing burden of hazardous environmental pollutants in water, soil, and air has intensified the need for rapid, sensitive, and deployable analytical technologies capable of realtime risk assessment. Conventional instrumental techniques, although highly accurate, remain constrained by high operational costs, complex sample preparation, and limited field applicability, hindering their use in continuous environmental monitoring. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as powerful alternatives for hazardous substance detection owing to their high sensitivity, rapid response, miniaturization capability, and suitability for on-site analysis.In recent years, polymer nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as advanced electrode materials due to their synergistic integration of conducting polymers with carbon nanostructures, metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, and twodimensional nanomaterials. These hybrid systems provide enhanced electrocatalytic activity, improved charge-transfer kinetics, and enlarged electroactive surface areas, enabling highly sensitive detection of environmentally relevant toxicants. This review critically evaluates recent advances in polymer nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of priority hazardous pollutants, including heavy metal ions, pesticides, phenolic compounds, nitroaromatic explosives, nitrite, and hydrazine. Key fabrication strategies, sensor architectures, and signal enhancement mechanisms are systematically discussed, with emphasis on structure-property-performance relationships.Particular attention is given to real-world deployment challenges, including electrode fouling, selectivity in complex matrices, long-term stability, reproducibility, and scalable fabrication.The review further highlights emerging trends in multifunctional nanocomposites and portable sensing platforms, providing insights into their role in next-generation environmental hazard monitoring and early warning systems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antibiotic residues persisting in environmental matrices pose significant ecological and public health risks, underscoring the imperative to develop efficient, sustainable, and scalable degradation technologies. Herein, we synthesized cobalt oxides doped with cerium (Ce-Co3O4) as efficient catalysts to design ternary coupled photothermal, photocatalysis, and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation systems for enhanced sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation under both visible and near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. The optimal catalyst, 1% Ce-Co3O4, achieved 95.6% SMX removal within 15 min under visible light and a PMS dosage of 600 mg L−1, with a degradation rate 2.97 times higher than that of pristine Co3O4; and attained 95.8% removal within 30 min under NIR light irradiation. The doping of Ce causes lattice strain, induces a mid-gap level, and narrows the bandgap from 1.60 eV to 1.46 eV, thereby extending optical absorption into the NIR region. The enhanced NIR absorption enables a localized photothermal effect that synergistically boosts PMS activation, leading to the enhanced SMX degradation efficiency. The Ce doping markedly suppresses charge recombination and accelerates electron transfer kinetics. The quenching experiments show that 1O2 and ·O2− are the predominant reactive species. The system exhibited good applicability to various organic pollutants, with the SMX removal efficiency remaining above 85% in real water matrices. In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal reached 68%, and metal leaching remained at a very low level. Toxicity prediction, together with plant growth bioassays, collectively confirmed that the degradation process significantly reduced the ecological toxicity. This study proposes the development of a ternary coupled system that combines photothermal-assisted photocatalysis with persulfate oxidation to enhance the removal of antibiotics.
{"title":"Ternary coupled photothermal-assisted photocatalysis and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation system for enhanced sulfamethoxazole degradation","authors":"Xinwei Tang,Lingjue Wu,Zhi Zhang,Kailian Zhang,Kai Yang,Kangqiang Lu,Weiya Huang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00457a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00457a","url":null,"abstract":"Antibiotic residues persisting in environmental matrices pose significant ecological and public health risks, underscoring the imperative to develop efficient, sustainable, and scalable degradation technologies. Herein, we synthesized cobalt oxides doped with cerium (Ce-Co3O4) as efficient catalysts to design ternary coupled photothermal, photocatalysis, and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation systems for enhanced sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation under both visible and near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. The optimal catalyst, 1% Ce-Co3O4, achieved 95.6% SMX removal within 15 min under visible light and a PMS dosage of 600 mg L−1, with a degradation rate 2.97 times higher than that of pristine Co3O4; and attained 95.8% removal within 30 min under NIR light irradiation. The doping of Ce causes lattice strain, induces a mid-gap level, and narrows the bandgap from 1.60 eV to 1.46 eV, thereby extending optical absorption into the NIR region. The enhanced NIR absorption enables a localized photothermal effect that synergistically boosts PMS activation, leading to the enhanced SMX degradation efficiency. The Ce doping markedly suppresses charge recombination and accelerates electron transfer kinetics. The quenching experiments show that 1O2 and ·O2− are the predominant reactive species. The system exhibited good applicability to various organic pollutants, with the SMX removal efficiency remaining above 85% in real water matrices. In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal reached 68%, and metal leaching remained at a very low level. Toxicity prediction, together with plant growth bioassays, collectively confirmed that the degradation process significantly reduced the ecological toxicity. This study proposes the development of a ternary coupled system that combines photothermal-assisted photocatalysis with persulfate oxidation to enhance the removal of antibiotics.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Akhila Rahul,Xiurong Chen,Charlie Maslen,Radwa Saad,Juliane Simmchen,Mathew E Berry
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is among the most widely used plastics globally, and its envi- ronmental persistence is strongly influenced by formulation variability and additive content. These factors complicate the identification and characterisation of PET degradation in natural environ- ments, highlighting the need for consistent and robust analytical approaches. The objective of this study was to compare the weathering behaviour of reference PET microplastics and PET mi- croparticles derived from commonly used consumer products following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and artificial seawater ageing, and to evaluate analytical methods for characterising the resulting changes. Reference PET microplastics along with PET microparticles derived from commonly used consumer products, including beverage bottles, personal care product containers, and takeaway food packaging, were cryogenically milled and characterised before and after ageing. The materials were subjected separately to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and artificial seawater ageing to simulate en- vironmental weathering in marine conditions. Chemical, structural, and optical changes induced by ageing were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy (DRS/UV–Vis). In addition, fragmentation behaviour and degradation pathways under UV and seawater exposure were examined through optical microscopy coupled with image analysis. This work provides comparative insights into the weathering behaviour of PET consumer products and contributes to improved methodologies for assessing PET degradation in marine environments.
{"title":"Weathering Pathways of PET Consumer Products under Simulated Marine and Photochemical Conditions †","authors":"Akhila Rahul,Xiurong Chen,Charlie Maslen,Radwa Saad,Juliane Simmchen,Mathew E Berry","doi":"10.1039/d6en00683c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00683c","url":null,"abstract":"Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is among the most widely used plastics globally, and its envi- ronmental persistence is strongly influenced by formulation variability and additive content. These factors complicate the identification and characterisation of PET degradation in natural environ- ments, highlighting the need for consistent and robust analytical approaches. The objective of this study was to compare the weathering behaviour of reference PET microplastics and PET mi- croparticles derived from commonly used consumer products following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and artificial seawater ageing, and to evaluate analytical methods for characterising the resulting changes. Reference PET microplastics along with PET microparticles derived from commonly used consumer products, including beverage bottles, personal care product containers, and takeaway food packaging, were cryogenically milled and characterised before and after ageing. The materials were subjected separately to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and artificial seawater ageing to simulate en- vironmental weathering in marine conditions. Chemical, structural, and optical changes induced by ageing were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy (DRS/UV–Vis). In addition, fragmentation behaviour and degradation pathways under UV and seawater exposure were examined through optical microscopy coupled with image analysis. This work provides comparative insights into the weathering behaviour of PET consumer products and contributes to improved methodologies for assessing PET degradation in marine environments.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Methyl parathion (MP), an extensively used organophosphate pesticide, has posed significant environmental risks and threats to public health due to its toxic and persistent nature. This has led to an urgent need to develop functional materials that can potentially monitor the MP residues in food, soil and water. In this study, a hybrid electrochemical sensor, hafnium-copper hexachloride (HCC) integrated with graphene oxide (GoX), is proposed for the electrochemical detection of MP. The HCC provides multiple active sites for the redox reaction, whereas the GoX provides mechanical stability, thereby promoting the electrochemical performance of the HCC@GoX sensor. The material is synthesised through a solvothermal route and extensively characterised for its structural, electronic and electrochemical properties. All the electrochemical measurements are evaluated using cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry. The sensor has showcased a sensitivity of 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ A/nM/cm² with a limit of detection (LOD) 10.53 nM, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 35.1 nM. The redox mechanism of the target analyte is thoroughly analysed using additional computational methods including DFT studies. The reliability and selectivity of the sensor is further tested in real world samples – agricultural wastewater and soil samples, which have also confirmed the efficiency of the HCC@GoX sensor towards the electrochemical detection of MP. This clearly demonstrates that a combination of hafnium-copper halide with carbon nanostructures can present a sustainable alternative to the expensive noble-metal electrodes.
{"title":"Nanostructured Hafnium-Copper Hexachloride -Graphene Oxide Sensor for Environmental Detection of the Organophosphate Pesticide Methyl Parathion","authors":"Sirisha Subbareddy,Srujan Basavapura Ravikumar,Sahana Kamanna Metry,Suparna Kallakkattil,Nanjunda Swamy Shanthappa,Sandeep Shadakshari,Santhosh Arehalli Shivamurthy","doi":"10.1039/d6en00499g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00499g","url":null,"abstract":"Methyl parathion (MP), an extensively used organophosphate pesticide, has posed significant environmental risks and threats to public health due to its toxic and persistent nature. This has led to an urgent need to develop functional materials that can potentially monitor the MP residues in food, soil and water. In this study, a hybrid electrochemical sensor, hafnium-copper hexachloride (HCC) integrated with graphene oxide (GoX), is proposed for the electrochemical detection of MP. The HCC provides multiple active sites for the redox reaction, whereas the GoX provides mechanical stability, thereby promoting the electrochemical performance of the HCC@GoX sensor. The material is synthesised through a solvothermal route and extensively characterised for its structural, electronic and electrochemical properties. All the electrochemical measurements are evaluated using cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry. The sensor has showcased a sensitivity of 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ A/nM/cm² with a limit of detection (LOD) 10.53 nM, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 35.1 nM. The redox mechanism of the target analyte is thoroughly analysed using additional computational methods including DFT studies. The reliability and selectivity of the sensor is further tested in real world samples – agricultural wastewater and soil samples, which have also confirmed the efficiency of the HCC@GoX sensor towards the electrochemical detection of MP. This clearly demonstrates that a combination of hafnium-copper halide with carbon nanostructures can present a sustainable alternative to the expensive noble-metal electrodes.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：