Nanotechnology and the Environment:

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Nanotechnology and the Environment The New
Future in Remediation
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Environmental Protection!
Barbara Karn, PhD US EPA Office of Research and
Development
27 May 2004
Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences,
Research, and Medicine
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EPA's Mission
To protect the environment and human health
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STAR Program National Center for Environmental
Research

• Established in 1995 as part of the overall
  reorganization of EPAs Office of Research and
  Development
• Mission include this countrys universities and
  non-profit centers in EPAs research program and
  to ensure the best possible quality of science in
  areas of highest risk and greatest importance to
  the Agency
• Award about 100 million annually
• Manage about 1000 active research grants and
  graduate fellowships
• Each year receive 3000-3500 grant applications
  make about 300 new STAR awards

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Nano is here today
Sample Products containing Nanomaterials
Step assists on vans Car bumpers Paints
and coatings to protect against corrosion,
scratches and radiation Protective and
glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and
cars . Self-cleaning glass Metal-cutting
tools Sunscreens and cosmetics
Longer-lasting tennis balls Light-weight,
stronger tennis racquets Stain-free clothing
and mattresses Dental-bonding agent Burn and
wound dressings Ink Automobile catalytic
converters.
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Some Projections
In 2003 - total global demand for nanoscale
materials, tools, and devices around 7.6 B
in 2008 - about 29 B
Business Communications Co
In 10 years - 1 trillion
(1000 X 109)
Areas producing the greatest revenue (now) for
nanoparticles reportedly are chemical-mechanical
polishing, magnetic recording tapes, sunscreens,
automotive catalyst supports, biolabeling,
electroconductive coatings and optical fibers.
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EPA (NCER) Nanotechnology Activities
Mar 2004 ACS Symposium
Dec. 2003 Societal Implications II
Environmental Applications
?
Summer 2004 Grantees Meeting

• 2001 RFA
• Synthesis and Processing
• Characterization and Manipulation
• Modeling and Simulation
• Device and System Concepts

EPA Grantees workshop, Aug. 02
Wilson Center Meetings
Implications
2003 RFA Health effects of manufactured
nanomaterials
SBIR Nanomaterials and Clean Technologies
Applications and Implications

• ACS Symposia
• Gordon Conference- 2005?
• Grand Challenges Workshop
• Interagency Environmental Conference
• Edited journals

• 2002 RFA
• Environmentally Benign Manufacturing and
  Processing
• Remediation/Treatment
• Sensors
• Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology

Building a Green Nanotech Community
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A Research Framework for Nano and the Environment
Applications reactive to existing problems
or proactive in preventing future problems.
Implications of interactions of nanomaterials
with the environment and possible risks that may
be posed by the use of nanotechnology.
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Nano and the Environment
applications

• Sensors
• Treatment
• Remediation
• Green manufacturing
• Green energy

implications

• Natural nano processes
• Fate, transport, and transformation
• Lifecycle aspects
• Toxicology
• Exposure, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation

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Nano and the Environment
(mainly reactive) Applications
-Sensors
improved monitoring and detection capabilities
real-time, accurate sensing of many compounds
simultaneously at extremely low concentrations
frequently in hostile environments
-Treatment
cleaning up waste streams of contaminants,
particularly those substances that are highly
toxic, persistent within the environment, or
difficult to treat
promise for cost-effective, specific, and rapid
solutions for treatment of contaminants
-Remediation
Cleanup of contaminated sites with problems
brought about by prior technologies and past
practices.
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Heavy Metal Ion Sensor
ApplicationsSensors
Sensitivity The electrodes are separated with an
atomic-scale gap, so a few ions can be detected.
Nanoscale electrodes on a silicon chip used to
detect a few metal ions without preconcentration.
Suitable for on-site detection of ultratrace
levels of heavy metal ions including radioactive
compounds. Nongjian Tao, Arizona State
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ApplicationsSensors
Detection of Algal Toxins
Fluorescent dendrimers showing spatially resolved
microdomains on polymer beads
This research involves the detection of algal
toxins using nanoscale sensors. Such sensors
would be excellent for shellfish monitoring as an
alternative to the mouse bioassay test which is
more expensive and time-consuming. Marine toxins
are of concern, especially due to the recent
deaths from pfisteria (toxic marine
microorganism) along the Carolina coast. Robert
Gawley, University of Miami
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ApplicationsSensors
Sensor for heavy metals
Cross-sectional electron micrograph of
luminescent porous silicon
The main goal of this research project is to
develop new selective solid state sensors for
chromium (VI) and arsenic (V). These sensors
will utilize redox quenching of the luminescence
from nanostructured porous silicon and polysilole
polymers. The approaches utilized in this
project include the encapsulation of the
polysilole in a nanotextured microcavity or
porous silicon. This will allow the nanoporous
material to readily admit small inorganic
analytes while excluding biomolecules that could
confound measurements. William Trogler, UC San
Diego
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ApplicationsSensors
Sensor to detect bacteria in drinking water
This research involves the rapid and quantitative
detection of microbial pathogens. The method
involves the use of piezoelectric
microcantilevers (micron-scale arms with DNA
strands attached that, when bound to target
molecules, bend a few nanometers, resulting in
positive detection). This is directly relevant
to drinking water issues. It also has
applicability to bio-terrorism issues, i.e.
emergency response. The goal of this research is
to develop rapid, real-time, in-situ analysis and
treatment of water. Wan Y. Shih, Drexel
University
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Applications Treatment/ Remediation
Remediation of Groundwater
Wei-xian Zhang, Lehigh

• TCE reduction with nano Iron
• Oxidation of pollutant enhanced by coupling with
  other metals (Fe/Pd) on the nanoscale.
• Smaller size makes it more flexible -- penetrates
  difficult to access areas.

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Applications Treatment/ Remediation
CleanupNano Size, Big Deal
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Applications Treatment/ Remediation
Protein-encapsulated iron oxide particles for
cleanup of organics
Only inorganic oxide in contact with shell
appears to take part in e- transfer
4000 loading
e- transfer points
Same Rate
100 loading
Ferritin spherical protein cage (120 m) with
Fe203)
This research involves the development of
catalysts for the reduction of chlorinated
compounds using a variety of homogeneous
nano-sized metal and metal oxide particles.
Zero-valence Fe particles within a protein cage
were tested. Daniel Strongin, Temple University
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Applications Treatment/ Remediation
Complexation of metal ion followed by
immobilization inside dendrimer
This project is an exploration of the fundamental
science of metal ion uptake by poly(amidoamine)
(PAMAM) dendrimers in aqueous solutions for
reduction of PCE and Cr(VI) to non-toxic forms in
aqueous solutions and subsurface
environments. Mamadou Diallo, Howard University
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(Mainly Proactive! Applications)
-Green Manufacturing
two aspects --using nanotechnology itself to
eliminate the generation of waste products and
streams by designing in pollution prevention at
the source. --manufacturing nanomaterials
themselves in a benign manner. Both aspects
involve use of environmentally friendly starting
materials and solvents, improved catalysts, and
significantly reduced energy consumption in the
manufacturing process
-Green Energy
Nano products such as solar and fuel cells could
lead to commercially viable alternative clean
energy sources
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Applications-Green Manufacturing
Higher selectivity for desired reaction products
An environmentally benign alternative to
conventional liquid phase oxidation of
industrially important chemicals
Selectivity for benzaldehyde product using
zeolite nanostructures is 87 vs. 35 for
conventional zeolites.
Sarah Larsen coworkers, U Iowa
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Applications-Green Manufacturing
Green chemistry-for functionalized gold
nanoparticles
Patent received for synthesis without diborane (a
highly toxic, odorless and colorless gas that
auto-ignites near room temperature) and without
benzene
The process takes just a few hours, instead of
days, and significantly reduces the cost of
making these nanoparticles.
Jim Hutchinson, University of Oregon
Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Exploring how to stabilize nanoparticles without
harmful additives (make bare" nanoparticles)
that would pollute water, and soil. Darrell
Velegol, Penn State
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Applications-Green Energy
ACS-Research papers 2003 Presiding Debra R.
Rolison
Electrochemistry at nanometer-length scales
John D. Watkins, Henry S. White, Emmanuel
Maisonhaute, Chrtistian Amatore, Hector D.
Abruña, Christopher P. Smith Using mesoporous
nanoarchitectures to improve battery performance
Bruce Dunn, François Bonet, Liam Noailles, Paul
Tang Thin-film superlattice thermoelectric
devices Rama Venkatasubramanian Nanoscale
photosynthesis Renewable hydrogen production and
biosensors for environmental monitoring Elias
Greenbaum Microfluidic biofuel cells G. Tayhas
R. Palmore, Tzy-Jiun M. Luo Hybrid
photoelectrochemical-fuel cell Ana L. Moore,
Devens Gust, Thomas A. Moore, Tadashi Sotomura,
Linda de la Garza, Goojin Jeong, Paul A. Liddell
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Solid-State Lighting
Applications-Green Energy
Nanocrystal/polymer composites for light emitting
diodes and photovoltaics
Brighter, cheaper, more efficient
High brightness LED grown by compound
semiconductor epitaxial growth techniques -- from
materials like AlInGaP, AlInGaN. Nanostructures
can enhance this technology Use of LED
technology could reduce light energy consumption
by an estimated 50 in the U.S, by 2020 --
reducing carbon emissions by 28 million metric
tons per year and 100 billion over 20 years
Conventional traffic signal uses a 140 W
incandescent lamp (2000 lumens) with red filter
A.Bergh et al, Physics Today, 2001, 54(12), 42.
Corresponding LED signal uses 14 W from 18 LED
lamps emitting red light
www.sandia.gov/lighting
www.energystar.gov/
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Applications-Green Energy
Transportation Applications
Strong, tough, ductile, lightweight materials
with low failure rates will improve the fuel
efficiency and safety of ground and air
transportation. Low-loss, high-performance
magnets will make motors more efficient. .
Hardened alloys and ceramics for cutting tools
will improve manufacturing efficiency. Surface
tailoring of materials will reduce friction and
increase resistance to wear, thus cutting fuel
consumption Nanostructured catalysts will lead
to cleaner, less expensive, more environmentally
friendly petroleum refining better batteries and
fuel cells
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Applications-Green Energy
President Bush State of the Union address 1.2
billion hydrogen fuel initiative Aims at
hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2020.

• Challenges
• Storage systems
• Hydrogen infrastructure
• Hydrogen production from coal and renewable
  sources

Nanotechnology fits into the solutions
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Sustainability Issues
Global climate change
What can nanotech offer?
Lighter weight materialsless transportation fuel
energy use
Efficient electronicsless electrical energy used
More efficient product manufacturingless
production energy
Cleaner burning fuels due to better prefiltration
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Sustainability Issues
Natural Resources
What can nanotech offer?
Water filtration systems for drinking water
purification and waste removal
Sensors to detect water pollutants, both chemical
and biological
Sensors to manage forest ecosystems
Dematerializationless use of materials as
nanotech enables production of smaller products
less waste in building from bottom up
Move to other fuels such as solar, hydrogen More
efficient use of petroleum in materials
manufacturing
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Take home message
Nanotechnology has direct beneficial applications
to the environment
Nanotechnology products and applications
indirectly affect the environment
We can take advantage of this powerful new
technology for both environmental and
sustainability benefits
AND
We must examine implications concurrently as we
develop applications
Questions??
Karn.Barbara_at_epa.gov 202-343-9704