Carbon Nanotubes in Electronics: Background and Discussion for Waste-Handling Strategies

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are increasingly being used in electronics products. CNTs have unique chemical and nanotoxicological properties, which are potentially dangerous to public health and the environment. This report presents the most recent findings of CNTs’ toxicity and discusses aspects related to incineration, recycling and potential remediation strategies including chemical and biological remediation possibilities. Our analysis shows that recycling CNTs may be challenging given their physiochemical properties and that available strategies such as power-gasification methods, biological degradation and chemical degradation may need to be combined with pre-handling routines for hazardous materials. The discussion provides the background knowledge for legislative measures concerning specialized waste handling and recycling procedures/facilities for electronics products containing CNTs

Nanofiller Presence Enhances Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Profile on Nanoparticles Released during Thermal Decomposition of Nano-enabled Thermoplastics: Potential Environmental Health Implications

“…It is therefore possible that under the oxygen-rich conditions in the furnace, aluminum in the CNTs oxidized to form aluminum oxide (or alumina) that in turn catalyzed formation of PAHs during the combustion of thermoplastics. Alternatively, emissions of PAHs may also come from the CNTs themselves since it is well known that PAHs can form during the manufacture of CNTs (via catalytic chemical vapor deposition), which can then strongly adsorb to the CNT surface , and finally desorb when heated during thermal decomposition. , However, it is not possible to confirm this since the raw CNTs were not analyzed for their PAH content. It is worth noting that CNTs also exhibit a nanofiller loading effect on the total PAH emissions.…”

Carbon Nanohybrids for Advanced Electronic Applications

“…[ 71 ] However, the bundled structure of SWNTs and poor solubility in solvents results in strong π–π interactions, thus restricting their applications. [ 72 ] Covalent chemical functionalization, [ 73–75 ] acid treatment, [ 76–78 ] noncovalent functionalization using hydrophobic interactions, [ 79–81 ] formation of supramolecular complexes in the presence of π electron‐donating compounds including pyrenes, [ 82 ] porphyrins, [ 83 ] and π‐conjugated polymers under ultrasonication are the ways to impart sufficient solubility in SWNTs. [ 72 ] Consequently, the interactions between SWNTs and π electron‐rich compounds can provide moderate solubility to SWNTs.…”