Interactions of emerging contaminants with model colloidal microplastics, C₆₀ fullerene, and natural organic matter – effect of surface functional group and adsorbate properties

Abstract

Molecular properties of emerging contaminants (ECs) and interfacial compositions of colloidal matter dictate the extent of EC–particulate matter surface interaction.

Theoretical study of the interaction of fullerenes with the emerging contaminant carbamazepine for detection in aqueous environments

“…Some features are important for detection of contaminants such as surface properties of the adsorbent, type of solute (functional groups), chemical properties such as acidic or basic character, the size of the solute molecules, and types of interactions among species whether physical or electrostatic (Lewis acid–base reactions or oxidation) 2 . Carbonaceous nanomaterials display some of these factors suitable for CBZ detection including carbon-nanotubes 12 , 13 , carbon dots 14 and fullerene (C 60 ) 15 , 16 . C 60 can be a good choice for CBZ uptake because it provides a surface that is hydrophobic due to the size and curvature and is susceptible to interactions with its π-orbitals 16 , 17 with the aromatic moiety of CBZ, enabling attractive dispersive and/or π-stacking interactions.…”

“…Carbonaceous nanomaterials display some of these factors suitable for CBZ detection including carbon-nanotubes 12 , 13 , carbon dots 14 and fullerene (C 60 ) 15 , 16 . C 60 can be a good choice for CBZ uptake because it provides a surface that is hydrophobic due to the size and curvature and is susceptible to interactions with its π-orbitals 16 , 17 with the aromatic moiety of CBZ, enabling attractive dispersive and/or π-stacking interactions. Recently, Williams and coworkers performed adsorption studies using CBZ on colloids made of microplastics coated with C 60 nanoclusters 16 , but contrastingly to other functionalized surfaces, the authors showed that CBZ uptake by C 60 is negligible.…”

“…C 60 can be a good choice for CBZ uptake because it provides a surface that is hydrophobic due to the size and curvature and is susceptible to interactions with its π-orbitals 16 , 17 with the aromatic moiety of CBZ, enabling attractive dispersive and/or π-stacking interactions. Recently, Williams and coworkers performed adsorption studies using CBZ on colloids made of microplastics coated with C 60 nanoclusters 16 , but contrastingly to other functionalized surfaces, the authors showed that CBZ uptake by C 60 is negligible. This result indicates that non-polar pristine C 60 surface does not bind CBZ effectively.…”

Aging of colloidal contaminants and pathogens in the soil environment: Implications for nanoplastic and COVID‐19 risk mitigation

“…For instance, colloid‐facilitated transport describes the natural process where contaminants such as heavy metals and organic compounds adsorb to, and co‐migrate with, detached soil particles in porous media (de Jonge et al, 2004 ; Zhang et al, 2017 ; Zou & Zheng, 2013 ). The term “colloidal contaminant” refers to a particulate pollutant (e.g., TiO 2 , fullerene), including nanoplastic (NP), whose size falls within the nanometre range, which forms a colloidal suspension in the pore water (Khan & Şengül, 2016 ; Reynaud et al, 2022 ; Williams et al, 2020 ). What distinguishes a colloidal contaminant or pathogen is the fact that it has the potential to migrate rapidly in environmental compartments, causing severe human health and ecological risks (Flury & Aramrak, 2017 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Molnar et al, 2015 ).…”

Emerging environmental contaminants at the air/aqueous and biological soft interfaces

“…40,41 The implication is that CBZ and β-ED are rigid and AMP is flexible. Based on their p K a values, 41–43 CBZ (15.96), β-ED (10.77), and 4-PP (10.31) exist dominantly as neutral species, and AMP (9.45, strongest basic) exhibits a positive charge in neutral water. Thus, elucidating the influence of their chemical properties on their interaction with bio-membranes and interfacial water is also of fundamental interest.…”