Citation:

Goodwin, D., A. Adeleye, L. Sung, K. Ho, R. Burgess, AND E. Petersen. Detection and Quantification of Graphene-Family Nanomaterials in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 52(8):4491-4513, (2018).

Impact/Purpose:

The last decade has seen a revolution in the manufacture of nanomaterials. These very small materials are used in consumer products ranging from electronics to sporting equipment. Nanomaterials come in many different forms including metals and carbon-based. The carbon-based nanomaterials are further sub-divided into different groups including single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphenes. Our understanding of the fate and effects of all of these nanomaterials in the environment is rapidly expanding but remains incomplete. For example, in order to be able assess whether or not a graphene nanomaterial represents a risk to human health or the environment we first must be able to measure the presence of the graphene nanomaterial. This paper provides a comprehensive review of analytical methods for detection and quantification of graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs) in various environmental matrices, such as water, soil, sediments, and organisms. Quantification techniques for the assessment of GFN release from polymer nanocomposites, a model matrix relevant for consumer products, was also evaluated. Measurements of GFNs in these matrices are critical for studies assessing the environmental fate and potential ecotoxicological effects of GFNs. In the paper, the unique properties of GFNs that can be useful for quantification and identification in environmental matrices were discussed. Potential biases and detection limits, when available, were provided for relevant techniques in each type of matrix. By highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each analytical technique in different matrices, this paper will help GFN researchers with choosing the appropriate analytical technique(s), and potentially drive advances in the analytical techniques for identification and quantification of GFNs. Further, the findings of this paper can be used by environmental managers to make informed decisions on the type of analytical methods to apply when determining if GFNs are entering the environment and whether or not they represent a risk to human health and ecological integrity.

Description:

An increase in production of commercial products containing graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs) has led to concern over their release into the environment. The fate and potential ecotoxicological effects of GFNs in the environment are currently unclear, partially due to the limited analytical methods for GFN measurements. In this review, the unique properties of GFNs that are useful for their detection and quantification are discussed. The capacity of several classes of techniques to identify and/or quantify GFNs in different environmental matrices (water, soil, sediment, and organisms), after environmental transformations, and after release from a polymer matrix of a product is evaluated. Extraction and strategies to combine methods for more accurate discrimination of GFNs from environmental interferences as well as from other carbonaceous nanomaterials are recommended. Overall, a comprehensive review of the techniques available to detect and quantify GFNs are systematically presented to inform the state of the science, guide researchers in their selection of the best technique for the system under investigation, and enable further development of GFN metrology in environmental matrices. Two case studies are described to provide practical examples of choosing which techniques to utilize for detection or quantification of GFNs in specific scenarios. Because the available quantitative techniques are somewhat limited, more research is required to distinguish GFNs from other carbonaceous materials and improve the accuracy and detection limits of GFNs at more environmentally relevant concentrations.

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