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

Details

• Personal Author:
  Ha SH ; Hasan SA ; Kagan VE ; Kapralov AA ; Kim K ; Kotchey GP ; Shvedova AA ; Star A
• Description:
  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. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biochemistry Chemistry Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Enzymes Hazardous Substances Occupational Health Safety Toxicology Waste Management
• Keywords:
  Biochemical-analysis Biodegradation Biohazards Catalysis Chemical-composition Chemical-properties Chemical-structure Environmental-contamination Environmental-hazards Enzymatic-effects Enzyme-activity Hazardous-materials In-vitro-studies In-vivo-studies Nanotechnology Oxidative-enzymes Oxidative-processes Peroxidases Waste-disposal

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• ISSN:
  0001-4842
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  45
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20041801
• Citation:
  Acc Chem Res 2012 Oct; 45(10):1770-1781
• Contact Point Address:
  Alexander Star, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Chemistry, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA
• Email:
  astar@pitt.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon (CAS RN 7440-44-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Accounts of Chemical Research
• End Date:
  20160630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:33286f0aa3acf7de8c4d33ea91242f2f133c635ee6e168574a02f0f51508940ac54af993660bb9695c61e7fbc89be7390e5048866d1d42b53772b0309590cad2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/194258/cdc_194258_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 507.89 KB ]