Environmental Science: Nano最新文献

{"title":"Understanding the surface chemistry of long term environmentally transformed nanomaterials for regulatory assessment","authors":"Laura-Jayne A. Ellis (Bradford), Christian Njel, Andrew J. Chetwynd and Iseult Lynch","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00256K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00256K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Environmental conditions significantly influence nanomaterial behaviour and physico-chemical transformations. Surface coatings initially enhance stability but degrade under environmental conditions, exposing nanomaterial cores and increasing transformation rates. These environmental transformations will impact nanomaterial bioavailability and ecotoxicity, with smaller particles and ionic species posing heightened toxicity to aquatic organisms, while larger agglomerates settle into sediments, posing risks to benthic ecosystems. The chronic environmental transformations of silver and titanium dioxide nanomaterials with different surface coatings over four years in diverse synthetic aquatic environments designed to mimic natural conditions are investigated. These conditions include a high-hardness salt only OECD-test medium (HH combo), and two synthetic waters representing low-alkalinity (class I) and high-alkalinity (class V) conditions, reflecting regional chemistries of areas such as Norway, the Alps, southern UK, and parts of southern Europe. A suite of analytical techniques, including dynamic light scattering, single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, were employed to assess morphological and physicochemical transformations of the nanomaterials over time. This study underscores the importance of incorporating nanomaterial ageing and environmental transformation studies into regulatory frameworks to capture the dynamic lifecycle behaviours of nanomaterials and their evolving physico-chemical characteristics and consequent toxicity. Recommendations include mandating environmental testing under diverse conditions to simulate real-world scenarios, assessing coating stability, and adopting tiered risk assessment approaches. These findings provide crucial data for regulators to develop guidelines that reflect the dynamic nature of nanomaterials, enhancing our understanding of their long-term environmental persistence, mobility, and ecological impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2670-2684"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/en/d6en00256k?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nano-fused multidirectional rotatable floating biocarrier: an innovative approach for the removal of petroleum oil spills","authors":"Karuvelan Murugan, Udayadasan Sathiskumar, Shankar Kunalan, Mahadevan Harsha, Govindasamy Hariharan, R. S. Robin, K. Murugesan, V. Deepak Samuel and Ramachandran Purvaja","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00254D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00254D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Petroleum oil contamination in marine and coastal environments poses significant ecological risks, necessitating the development of efficient remediation strategies. In this study, a modified nanobioremediation (m-NBR) platform is developed using green-synthesized silver(<small>I</small>) oxide (Ag<small>₂</small>O) nanocubes derived from <em>Rhizophora apiculata</em> (<em>R. apiculata</em>) leaf extract. The nanocubes are immobilized on rotatable polystyrene (PS) based floating biocarriers and integrated with <em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em> (<em>A. baumannii</em>). The Ag<small>₂</small>O nanocubes are characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to evaluate their structural and morphological properties. <em>A. baumannii</em> achieved 88.14% hydrocarbons (HCs) degradation within 10 days, which increased to 99.08% within 6 days upon incorporation of Ag<small>₂</small>O-functionalized floating biocarriers. The rotatable design enhances light exposure and pollutant contact, thereby facilitating photocatalytic activity and microbial attachment. These innovative synergistic effects of photocatalysis and biodegradation promote the breakdown of petroleum HCs into less toxic intermediates. These findings indicate that the present m-NBR platform is a highly promising approach for petroleum oil spill remediation in aquatic environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2830-2849"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261477","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}

{"title":"Coppering nanoscale zero-valent iron particles for enhanced decontamination: implications of synthesis conditions on particle architecture and reactivity","authors":"Martin Lichovník, Miroslav Brumovský, Jan Filip, Martin Petr and Vojtěch Ettler","doi":"10.1039/D5EN00681C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EN00681C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Doping of the surface of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles with noble metals enhances their reactivity and efficiency of pollutant removal. In this study, we explored the effects of different synthesis procedures on the performance of Cu-doped nZVI particles in the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE). The abundance, speciation, and distribution of Cu on the Cu–nZVI particle surface were analysed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Based on the measurements of oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), pH, and dissolved Cu concentration, a 60 min reaction time was found to be optimal for the Cu–nZVI synthesis. The particles prepared with Cu(<small>II</small>) chloride and sulfate removed 67% more TCE than the non-modified nZVI particles in eight days, degrading it mainly to ethene. In contrast, particles synthesized with Cu(<small>II</small>) nitrate showed no increase the removal efficiency due to (i) higher pH of the dispersions, (ii) more passivated surface, and (iii) the presence of Cu in an amorphous form. Increasing the Cu loading above 1% did not improve the TCE removal rate likely due to the more extensive particle surface passivation. These findings provide insights into optimizing the synthesis and performance of metal-doped (n)ZVI particles for pollutant removal.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2744-2756"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/en/d5en00681c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of tire-derived nanocomposites: an overlooked component of road runoff entering aquatic ecosystems","authors":"Yen Thi-Hoang Le, Hanjin Yoo, Poong-Mo Park, Cheonwoong Kang, Jong-Sang Youn and Ki-Joon Jeon","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00107F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00107F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Tire wear particles (TWPs) make up most of road debris entering waterways and release a diverse array of pollutants as they break down. Yet the nanoparticle fraction responsible for the toxicity of these leachates has remained unidentified. Here we show that TWPs immersed in either deionized or saline water release ZnO-based nanoparticles wrapped in carbon black (CB) within a few days, even without any weathering. The quantity of Zn leaching and chemical surface properties of these nanoparticles differ between the two types of water. The combined presence of NaCl and lower pH enhances metal release and promotes surface oxidation of the leached nanoparticles. While Zn leaching from TWPs is well documented, the co-release of ZnO and silica encapsulated with CB reveals an unintended consequence of incorporating nanoscale fillers into modern tire formulations. These findings demonstrate a previously overlooked class of tire-derived leachate nanocomposites entering aquatic environments, altering potential ecotoxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2850-2857"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/en/d6en00107f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxic effects and detoxification mechanisms between CuO nanoparticles and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: insights from physiological and transcriptomics analysis","authors":"Erqin Yin, Chao Cheng, Qiyong Hao, Yixuan Li and Xiaochen Li","doi":"10.1039/D5EN01175B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EN01175B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >As an important class of engineered nanomaterials, CuO nanoparticles have found broad use across various areas, while their toxicity has drawn attention. Although previous studies have reported the environmental fate of CuO particles and their ecotoxicity to algae, whether particle size modulates the aquatic toxicity of CuO particles and how algae coordinate detoxification responses under particle stress remain incompletely understood within a unified framework. In this study, physiological and transcriptomic analyses were combined to compare the toxic effects of two CuO particle size fractions, CuO-NPs (40 nm) and CuO-SMPs (150–250 nm), on <em>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</em> (<em>C. reinhardtii</em>), and to investigate the detoxification responses of this alga at both cellular and molecular levels. The results revealed that, under the tested conditions, the CuO-NPs fraction induced stronger growth inhibition, photosynthetic damage, and oxidative stress than the CuO-SMPs fraction. At 50 mg L<small>⁻¹</small>, the growth inhibition rates caused by CuO-NPs and CuO-SMPs reached 40.84% and 31.60%, respectively. RNA-seq analysis revealed 1054 differentially expressed genes, comprising 302 upregulated and 752 downregulated ones, which were mainly enriched in oxidation–reduction processes and oxidoreductase activity. By integrating physiological endpoints with transcriptomic responses, we further outlined a relatively complete detoxification route employed by <em>C. reinhardtii</em> under CuO particle stress, involving peroxisome regulation, activation of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, phytochelatin chelation, and ABC transporter-mediated compartmentalized sequestration. This study provides new insight into the molecular detoxification mechanisms of microalgae under nanoparticle stress and contributes to a more complete understanding of the bidirectional interaction between CuO-NPs and aquatic microalgae.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2715-2726"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261522","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}

{"title":"Trophic mobility and distinct organ-specific toxicity of rare earth oxide (REO) nanoparticles in a freshwater food chain","authors":"Yiyun Liu, Qin-Hong Zhou, Yuan Ding, Feng-Yi Guo, Si-Jia Zuo, Chuan Wang, Shi-Jie Chen, Dongmei Xie and De-Sheng Pei","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00015K","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00015K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Rare earth oxide (REO) nanoparticles (NPs), such as lanthanum oxide (La<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small>) and cerium oxide (CeO<small>₂</small>) NPs, are increasingly used in industrial and biomedical applications, raising concerns about their entry into freshwater systems and their behavior across trophic levels. This study established a three-tier food chain composed of <em>Tetradesmus obliquus</em> (<em>T. obliquus</em>), <em>Daphnia magna</em> (<em>D. magna</em>), and zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>, <em>D. rerio</em>) to quantify trophic transfer and evaluate organ-specific toxicity of these materials. Both NPs suppressed algal growth, reduced chlorophyll content, and elevated oxidative stress indicators. Algae showed strong accumulation capacity, with bioconcentration factors of 289.75 for La<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> and 247.5 for CeO<small>₂</small>. Although transfer to higher trophic levels occurred, biomagnification was not detected, and La<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> displayed greater transfer efficiency than CeO<small>₂</small>. Chronic exposure impaired <em>D. magna</em> growth and swimming behavior, and CeO<small>₂</small> also reduced reproductive output. In zebrafish, long-term La<small>₂</small>O<small>₃</small> exposure disrupted hepatic lipid metabolism and increased liver injury markers, while CeO<small>₂</small> caused structural alterations in cardiac tissue. These findings demonstrate that REO NPs can move through freshwater food chains and exert distinct organ-specific toxic effects, providing essential evidence for ecological risk assessment and environmental management of rare earth nanomaterials.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2817-2829"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261476","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}

{"title":"Predicting skin irritation, corrosion, and sensitization potential of nanomaterials using OECD-validated new approach methodologies (NAMs)","authors":"Olivia Lautan, Yu-Ying Chen, Yung-Hsuan Cheng, Ssu-Ning Chen, Hsiu-Ling Chen, Hsien-Jen Cheng, Rong-Jane Chen and Ying-Jan Wang","doi":"10.1039/D5EN00955C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EN00955C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Nanomaterials are increasingly used in consumer and industrial products, creating a need for comprehensive and reliable safety evaluations. Current standardized methods developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have yet to be fully validated for the assessment of nanomaterials. This study systematically investigated the skin irritation, corrosion, and sensitization potential of five industrially relevant nanoparticles (NPs): titanium dioxide (TiO<small>₂</small>), zinc oxide (ZnO), nickel oxide (NiO), silver (Ag), and polystyrene (PS), using OECD-validated <em>in vitro</em> models and the integrated approach to testing and assessment (IATA). The reliability of OECD Test Guidelines (TGs) 439 and 431 for assessing nanomaterials-induced skin irritation and corrosion was confirmed, with results integrated using the IATA framework as outlined in OECD Guidance Document 203. However, skin sensitization assays, including KeratinoSens™ (TG 442D), the human Cell Line Activation Test (h-CLAT, TG 442E), and the Defined Approaches (Guideline 497), produced conflicting or inconclusive results for certain metal-based NPs such as TiO<small>₂</small> and NiO, while Ag NPs consistently tested positive across multiple assays. The 3D reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) model for skin irritation and corrosion testing minimised assay interference and provided a more physiologically relevant representation of the skin barrier compared with conventional 2D cultures used in skin sensitization assays. This study highlights the applications and limitations of existing OECD TGs and current <em>in vitro</em> approaches for evaluating potential skin toxicities of metal-based NPs. By identifying current gaps, it supports refinement of reliable, standardized non-animal testing strategies and informs future adaptation of regulatory guidelines for improved nanomaterials safety assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2650-2669"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/en/d5en00955c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shear-sensitive clustering of nanoparticles and their protein corona composition govern α-synuclein aggregation","authors":"Masoumeh Zanganeh, Thomas O. Mason, Hoda Eskandari, Vibeizonuo Rupreo, Fatemeh Bagheri, Azad Farzadfard, Seyed Abbas Shojaosadati, Dina Morshedi, Duncan S. Sutherland, Alexander K. Buell and Hossein Mohammad-Beigi","doi":"10.1039/D5EN00635J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EN00635J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Nanoplastics and engineered nanoparticles interact in varying ways with amyloidogenic proteins, yet the mechanistic basis for the pathological effects caused by that interplay remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate how carboxylated-polystyrene nanoplastics (PsNPs) and -silica nanoparticles (SNPs) differentially modulate α-synuclein (αSyn) amyloid formation kinetics through variation in composition and binding of the protein corona, a surface layer of biological origin formed from plasma proteins. Using Taylor dispersion analysis in microfluidic capillaries under physiologically relevant flow conditions, we demonstrate that anionic PsNPs form shear-sensitive, αSyn-bridged clusters, which transition into stable flocs at sub-stoichiometric ratios <em>via</em> charge neutralization. SNPs, in contrast, maintain colloidal stability through dynamic binding equilibria. The composition of the hard corona, a tightly bound layer of protein at the NP surface with slow exchange kinetics, critically determined aggregation outcomes: PsNPs accelerated fibril formation through strong interfacial interactions, while SNPs inhibited nucleation but promoted fibril fragmentation. We identified the hard corona's slow exchange kinetics as the primary determinant of long-term aggregation, while the weakly bound “soft corona” mediated early interaction dynamics. These findings extend the current understanding of how NP surface chemistry influences corona composition and protein aggregation particularly in the context of environmentally relevant nanoplastics.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2795-2816"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261475","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}

{"title":"Physicochemically grounded interpretation of nanoparticle adsorption in volcanic soils: the role of ΔpH and inter-model analysis","authors":"Angelo Neira-Albornoz and Manuel Gacitua","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00122J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00122J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Soil adsorption governs the environmental fate of nanomaterials, yet conventional adsorption frameworks often struggle to capture the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of nanoparticle–soil systems. In this study, we extend and refine a previously proposed adsorption analysis framework by introducing a physicochemically grounded pre-model data treatment based on ΔpH, nanoparticle stability assessment, and trend analysis. Here, ΔpH is used as an indicator of proton balance conditions, enabling the identification of comparable system states prior to model fitting. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms of Cu<small>₂</small>O nanoparticles from the commercial pesticide NORDOX 75 WG were investigated in both a permanent-charge (Metrenco) and a variable-charge soil (Ralún). For both soils, adsorption data were analysed using the previous empirical approach and the new ΔpH-based framework, enabling direct comparison of interpretive outcomes. The results show that ΔpH-based contextualisation prior to model fitting improves data interpretability by revealing system-dependent trends and regime behaviour that are not captured by conventional analyses. Inter-model contrast further demonstrates that models with similar statistical performance can support or contradict mechanistic interpretations depending on their assumptions, while poor fits can provide meaningful information about system complexity. Differences between kinetic- and isotherm-derived parameters are consistent with variations in ΔpH across experimental conditions, highlighting the influence of evolving system state on adsorption behaviour. Overall, this study demonstrates that integrating physicochemical meaning into data treatment and adopting inter-model interpretation enhances the robustness and comparability of nanoparticle adsorption studies. The proposed framework provides a systematic approach for interpreting complex adsorption systems across soils with contrasting surface chemistry.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2698-2714"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261521","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}

{"title":"A physical chemistry lens on environmental nanoplastics analysis challenges. Part I: why isolation is more complex than for microplastics?","authors":"Manpreet Kaur, Christopher T. Gibson, Sara J. Fraser-Miller, Sophie C. Leterme and Melanie Macgregor","doi":"10.1039/D6EN00041J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D6EN00041J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging pollutants (EPs) which behave so differently to their micron-size counterparts that a new field of scientific interest is rapidly growing on the topic. The presence of these small plastic particles has been reported in a wide range of environments, from oceans to human organs. However, reliable quantitative data is sparse because their isolation from environmental matrices and subsequent detection faces technical limitation. Yet, baseline levels of NP occurrence are needed to understand their impact on the environment, on the biota at large, as well as on human health. This impact is feared to be more detrimental than that of microplastics, in part due to their high surface area to volume ratio which makes NPs, like other nanoparticles, very reactive. Their small size also means they can pass through living cell membranes and disrupt biological processes. To date, however, there is a lack of reliable information on the concentration and type of NP present in different environmental matrices to adequately study and address these issues. Most research has so far focused on micro-plastics whereas the isolation of sub-micron particles, and especially those smaller than 100 nm, remains a significant challenge. This review aims to highlight the current state of the art and the gaps in both knowledge and technology that are to be filled prior to a comprehensive study of NPs. Specifically, a focus on the unique physico-chemical properties of NPs is used to narrow down isolation methods most suited for subsequent NP detection, identification, and quantification. The expected outcome of this review is to provide researchers outside of the field of colloidal science a mechanistic explanation of the physico-chemical properties of common NPs necessary to achieve their selective capture.</p>","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":" 6","pages":" 2604-2620"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148261517","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}