Assessing and Mitigating the Hazard Potential of Two-Dimensional Materials

Abstract

The family of two-dimensional (2D) materials is comprised of a continually expanding palette of unique compositions and properties with potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, energy capture and storage, catalysis, and nanomedicine. To accelerate the implementation of 2D materials in widely disseminated technologies, human health and environmental implications need to be addressed. While extensive research has focused on assessing the toxicity and environmental fate of graphene and related carbon nanomaterials, the potential hazards of other 2D materials have only recently begun to be explored. Herein, the toxicity and environmental fate of post-carbon 2D materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride, and black phosphorus, are reviewed as a function of their preparation methods and surface functionalization. Specifically, we delineate how the hazard potential of 2D materials is directly related to structural parameters and physicochemical properties, and how experimental design is critical to the accurate elucidation of the underlying toxicological mechanisms. Finally, a multidisciplinary approach for streamlining the hazard assessment of emerging 2D materials is outlined, thereby providing a pathway for accelerating their safe use in a range of technologically relevant contexts.

Atomic-scale mapping of hydrophobic layers on graphene and few-layer MoS2 and WSe2 in water

“…Two-dimensional (2D) and few-layer materials provide a variety of extended atomically flat surfaces with different long-range (van der Waals) and hydrophobic interactions. In addition, 2D materials have attracted considerable interest because of the electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties that arise from their atomic-size thickness 10–13 . Among other applications, those materials have been proposed as active elements in the development of chemical and biological sensors 14–16 .…”

Thermal Reduction of Graphene Oxide Mitigates Its In Vivo Genotoxicity Toward Xenopus laevis Tadpoles

“…Among these graphene-based materials (GBMs), graphene derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) appear as very attractive due to their high stability after dispersion in various solvents, facilitating handling and processing of graphene-containing nanocomposites [5,6]. To ensure the safe and sustainable development of this innovative technology, evaluation of its biological and ecological risk, as well as finding innovative solutions to mitigate the hazard potential, are essential [7,8,9]. The increasing GBMs production raises concerns over their release into the environment, where it is likely to occur at any stage of the material life cycle [10,11,12].…”

Biocompatibility and biodegradability of 2D materials: graphene and beyond

“…Similar to GBMs, the atomic composition, the exfoliation process and the lateral dimensions of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), hexagonal boron nitride (hBN, also termed ''white graphene'') or black phosphorus (BP) are key factors in determining their biocompatibility. [27][28][29][30] The group of Pumera has studied the role played by the chalcogen atoms in the cytotoxicity of TDMCs. [31][32][33] The differences in the chemical reactivity of each TMDC are related to the release of the chalcogens, resulting in higher toxicity.…”

“…In general terms, selenium and vanadium play an important role in the toxicity, and ditellurides show higher cytotoxicity than disulphide containing materials. 27 The exfoliation process is also important; however, its correlation with the levels of cytotoxicity is not very clear yet, since there are several works resulting in contrasting data. As it has been previously discussed for GBMs, the functionalisation of these alternative 2D nanomaterials can lead to control of their biocompatibility.…”