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.

Investigating the toxicity and environmental fate of graphene nanomaterials

248th National Meeting (2014)

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