Fundamental characteristics and their influence on fate and behavior of nanomaterials in environments

Saurabh Jyoti Sarma, Ratul Kumar Das, Satinder Kaur Brar, Mausam Verma, Rajeshwar D. Tyagi, Rao Y. Surampalli, Tian C. Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Designed to have very specific properties, engineered nanomaterials (NMs) are tailor made through chemical processes, physical processes, or both, and may be released into the environment primarily through industrial and environmental applications or during improper handling. Because of their nanoscale size, NMs may possess unique chemical, biological, and physical properties as compared with larger particles of the same material, which gives them an edge in diverse applications. This chapter discusses the fundamental properties of NMs and some of the phenomena that determine their fate, transport, and behavior in the environment. For example, processes such as agglomeration can drastically change the surface behavior of NMs. In addition, surface adsorption of different organic or inorganic entities may have substantial influence on the fate of NMs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNanomaterials in the Environment
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages1-26
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9780784479254
ISBN (Print)9780784414088
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering
  • General Environmental Science

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