NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

A natural vanishing act: the enzyme-catalyzed degradation of carbon nanomaterials.

Kotchey GP; Hasan SA; Kapralov AA; Ha SH; Kim K; Shvedova AA; Kagan VE; Star A

Acc Chem Res 2012 Oct; 45(10):1770-1781

https://doi.org/10.1021/ar300106h

20041801

Over the past three decades, revolutionary research in nanotechnology by the scientific, medical, and engineering communities has yielded a treasure trove of discoveries with diverse applications that promise to benefit humanity. With their unique electronic and mechanical properties, carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) represent a prime example of the promise of nanotechnology with applications in areas that include electronics, fuel cells, composites, and nanomedicine. Because of toxicological issues associated with CNMs, however, their full commercial potential may not be achieved. The ex vitro, in vitro, and in vivo data presented in this Account provide fundamental insights into the biopersistence of CNMs, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, and their oxidation/biodegradation processes as catalyzed by peroxidase enzymes. We also communicate our current understanding of the mechanism for the enzymatic oxidation and biodegradation. Finally, we outline potential future directions that could enhance our mechanistic understanding of the CNM oxidation and biodegradation and could yield benefits in terms of human health and environmental safety. The conclusions presented in this Account may catalyze a rational rethinking of CNM incorporation in diverse applications. For example, armed with an understanding of how and why CNMs undergo enzyme-catalyzed oxidation and biodegradation, researchers can tailor the structure of CNMs to either promote or inhibit these processes. In nanomedical applications such as drug delivery, the incorporation of carboxylate functional groups could facilitate biodegradation of the nanomaterial after delivery of the cargo. On the other hand, in the construction of aircraft, a CNM composite should be stable to oxidizing conditions in the environment. Therefore, pristine, inert CNMs would be ideal for this application. Finally, the incorporation of CNMs with defect sites in consumer goods could provide a facile mechanism that promotes the degradation of these materials once these products reach landfills.

Nanotechnology; Chemical-composition; Chemical-properties; Toxicology; In-vitro-studies; In-vivo-studies; Biochemical-analysis; Biodegradation; Biohazards; Oxidative-enzymes; Oxidative-processes; Peroxidases; Enzymatic-effects; Enzyme-activity; Enzymes; Environmental-hazards; Environmental-contamination; Catalysis; Chemical-structure; Hazardous-materials; Waste-disposal

Alexander Star, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA

ACHRE4

7440-44-0

20121016

Journal Article

astar@pitt.edu

Grant

2013

Grant-Number-R01-OH-008282; B20121218D

10

0001-4842

HELD

Manufacturing

Accounts of Chemical Research

PA; WV

University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh