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Investigating the Toxicity and Environmental Fate of Graphene Nanomaterials
Citation:
Guiney, L., N. Mansukhani, M. Duch, I. Chowdhury, D. Bouchard, X. Wang, Z. Ji, A. Nel, AND M. Hersam. Investigating the Toxicity and Environmental Fate of Graphene Nanomaterials. 248th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, August 10 - 14, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
Presented at the 248th ACS National Meeting, August 10-14, 2014 in San Francisco, CA.
Description:
The Hersam Laboratory at Northwestern University works with the Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to study the toxicity and environmental fate of emergent nanomaterials, specifically carbon-based nanomaterials. Although carbon-based nanomaterials are hydrophobic, they remain dispersed in aqueous solution by the addition of surfactants or oxygen containing functional groups. The materials are purified and characterized by a wide variety of techniques, including atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The production processes and properties of the materials are then studied in relation to their toxicity and environmental fate. Biocompatible surfactant encapsulation and minimization of oxidation were found to mitigate toxicity. Additionally, transport of graphene nanomaterials in the aquatic environment has been investigated. We have explored the stability and the aggregation kinetics of graphene nanomaterials with emphasis on the role of the material properties, such as the oxidation, on environmental fate.
URLs/Downloads:
https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/meetings/fall-2014/sf-theme-related-symposia2.pdf