Physico-chemical properties and toxicological effects on plant and algal models of carbon nanosheets from a nettle fibre clone.
Sci Rep
; 11(1): 6945, 2021 03 25.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33767326
ABSTRACT
Carbon nanosheets are two-dimensional nanostructured materials that have applications as energy storage devices, electrochemical sensors, sample supports, filtration membranes, thanks to their high porosity and surface area. Here, for the first time, carbon nanosheets have been prepared from the stems and leaves of a nettle fibre clone, by using a cheap and straight-forward procedure that can be easily scaled up. The nanomaterial shows interesting physical parameters, namely interconnectivity of pores, graphitization, surface area and pore width. These characteristics are similar to those described for the nanomaterials obtained from other fibre crops. However, the advantage of nettle over other plants is its fast growth and easy propagation of homogeneous material using stem cuttings. This last aspect guarantees homogeneity of the starting raw material, a feature that is sought-after to get a nanomaterial with homogeneous and reproducible properties. To evaluate the potential toxic effects if released in the environment, an assessment of the impact on plant reproduction performance and microalgal growth has been carried out by using tobacco pollen cells and the green microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. No inhibitory effects on pollen germination are recorded, while algal growth inhibition is observed at higher concentrations of leaf carbon nanosheets with lower graphitization degree.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Carbon
/
Urtica dioica
/
Nanostructures
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci Rep
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Saudi Arabia