The ELSI Handbook of Nanotechnology

Risk, Safety, ELSI and Commercialization

Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain

• Publisher: Wiley-Scrivener
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781119592969
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Nanotechnology & MEMS
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This Handbook focuses on the recent advancements in Safety, Risk, Ethical Society and Legal Implications (ESLI) as well as its commercialization of nanotechnology, such as manufacturing. Nano is moving out of its relaxation phase of scientific route, and as new products go to market, organizations all over the world, as well as the general public, are discussing the environmental and health issues associated with nanotechnology. Nongovernmental science organizations have long since reacted; however, now the social sciences have begun to study the cultural portent of nanotechnology. Societal concerns and their newly constructed concepts, show nanoscience interconnected with the economy, ecology, health, and governance. This handbook addresses these new challenges and is divided into 7 sections: Nanomaterials and the Environment; Life Cycle Environmental Implications of Nanomanufacturing; Bioavailability and Toxicity of Manufactured Nanoparticles in Terrestrial Environments; Occupational Health Hazards of Nanoparticles; Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology; Commercialization of Nanotechnology; Legalization of Nanotechnology.

1
Nanomaterials and the Environment

Shivani Rastogi, Gaurav Sharma and Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian*

Nano Surface Texturing Lab, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, DIAT (DU), Ministry of Defence, Girinagar, Pune, India

Abstract

Nanomaterials (NM) possess unique mechanical, electrical, catalytic, anti-microbial and optical properties owing to their dimensional constraints and have been utilized since time immemorial. With advancement in technology, environmental opportunities like augmenting resource efficiency and controlling pollution and purification of natural resources like water and air have been pivotal in the development of NMs. Metallic and non-metallic NMs along with composite variations have been devised for ecological betterment, and their efficacy in the eradication of a plethora of air and water contaminants of organic as well as inorganic origins is inevitable. The NM engineered nano-dimension materials designed specifically for eco-conservational purposes comprise materials in membranous forms, embedded structures with NMs, etc., or composites that have adsorptive, oxidative or catalytic properties for degradation of pollutants which are deemed toxic when present in water bodies, soil contaminants and air foulers. The NMs generated in controlled environments are effectively utilized for several pollutant sequestering techniques but by-products of industrial usage and automobile expulsions are considered detrimental, posing a threat to the 55 billion Nanomaterial industry (estimated market share by 2022 by CAGR). Therefore, it is imperative to maintain an ecological balance and enhance the positive effects of nano-scalar materials on the environment.

Keywords: Eco-friendly, nanocomposites, purification, photocatalysis, oxidation, adsorption, nanoparticles

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 Overview of Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are the chemical substances having at least one dimension in the range of nanometers (10^-9m). According to ISO/TS 8004 [1], nanomaterial is defined as a “material with any of its proportion in the nanoscale range or having internal surface area in the nanoscale,” with nanoscale defined as the “length range approximately from 1 nm to 100 nm” [1]. Nanomaterials are not new to this world as there are many instances from medieval history in which nanomaterials were used during that period, i.e., Sabres from Damascus [2], now in Syria, before 900 AD, that were hard and sharp, made from a wootz type of steel. One more example of nanomaterials from history is their use by medieval stained-glass artisans. They were the first nanotechnologists and confined the nanoparticles inside a glass matrix to produce the ruby red color in the windows. Nanomaterials are designed to exhibit new and unique characteristics in comparison to the same material without nanoscale characteristics, such as enhanced strength, chemical reactivity or conductivity, etc. There are many naturally occurring nanomaterials (e.g., volcanic lava ash, ocean spray, or even biological matter like capsid, virus, etc.) and some are produced accidentally as the side products of various combustion processes (e.g., automobile engines, gas and carbon welding). Recently, researchers have been exploring various nanomaterial functionalized materials like nanofibers, beads, membranes, foams, etc., typically based on polymeric materials for environmental and water treatment applications [3–43]. On the other side, there is an extended range of nanoparticles that are engineered by physical and chemical processes for specific or targeted work and research, i.e., carbon black and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Nanomaterials can be generally classified into two categories, as shown in Figure 1.1:

► Natural Nanoparticles: This type of nanomaterial produced in nature is due to the bio-processes, as illustrated in Figure 1.2. Due to biological decaying and chemical weathering processes, a large number of environmental colloids can occur in the environment. These colloidal nanoparticles are basic oxides and oxyhydroxides of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), aluminium and aluminosilicates. Some nanoparticles are produced accidentally in nature due to various human activities like burning of fire, running a motor car, washing clothes, rubbing papers, etc., but the use of these nanoparticles is not significant due to their uncontrolled generation.

► Synthetic Nanoparticles: These types of nanoparticles, which are designed for a specific purpose with research by physical and chemical processes and by using different experimental techniques, are also known as man-made nanomaterials. These nanomaterials are being produced significantly by various physical and chemical methods in R&D laboratories for commercialization and at the educational level for learning purposes. The chemistry of synthetic nanomaterials can be controlled by various means and are being used in multiple industries to make technology more advanced, less harmful and available to all for a good lifestyle and health.

Figure 1.1 Types of nanomaterials [44].

Figure 1.2 Natural processes of nanomaterials formation [45].

Synthetic nanomaterials can be broadly classified into various categories, as shown in Table 1.1 with their types, synthesis, and examples.

Table 1.1 Types, synthesis, and examples of synthetic nanomaterials [46].

Sr. no.	Nanomaterials	Synthesis methods	Examples
1.	Metal NMs	Photochemical, Electr...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• 1 Nanomaterials and the Environment
• 2 Highly Efficient Graphene-Based Nanocomposites for Environmental Application
• 3 A Concise Account of the Studies Conducted on the Transport, Fate, Transformation and Toxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials
• 4 Nanotechnologies and Advanced Smart Materials: The Case of Architecture and Civil Engineering
• 5 Life Cycle Environmental Implications of Nanomanufacturing
• 6 Addressing Nanotoxicity: Green Nanotechnology for a Sustainable Future
• 7 Nanotechnology: Occupational Health Hazards of Nanoparticles and Legalization Challenges
• 8 Bringing Awareness to the Darker Side of Nanoparticles
• 9 Mode of Transfer, Toxicity and Negative Impacts of Engineered Nanoparticles on Environment, Human and Animal Health
• 10 The Impact of Nanomaterials in Aquatic Systems
• 11 Nanotechnology in the Dairy Industry: Benefits and Risks
• 12 A Survey of Nanotechnology for Rocket Propulsion: Promises and Challenges
• 13 Toxicity and Regulatory Concerns for Nanoformulations in Medicine
• 14 A Way to Create a Sustainable Environment: Green Nanotechnology – With an Emphasis on Noble Metals
• 15 Modern Development with Green Polymer Nanocomposites: An Overview
• Index
• End User License Agreement