Biotechnology for Zero Waste – Emerging Waste Management Techniques (Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain (editor) etc.)

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Biofunctionalized Nanomaterials for Sensing

and Bioremediation of Pollutants

Satyam and S. Patra

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Near Doul Gobinda

Road, Amingaon, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India

22.1

Introduction

Nanomaterial has its dimension in the range of 1–100 nm. Inherent characteristics

of nanoparticles like small size, high surface area to volume ratio, and distinctive

physicochemical properties possessed by some elements like surface plasmon

resonance and conductivity are widely researched and are progressively being

applied. With ease to use a bottom-up or top-down approach for nanoparticle

synthesis, researchers can tune its properties as per requirement. Top-down

approaches of synthesis include lithography, physical, chemical, ultrasonic, and

printing techniques. In contrast, bottom-up methods include layer-by-layer self-

assembly, molecular self-assembly, direct assembly, coating and growth, and

colloidal aggregation. Characterization of nanoparticles before and after function-

alization is of paramount importance. The average particle size and distribution in

a medium can be determined by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method.

In contrast, potential difference parameters of nanoparticles in a medium conduct-

ing charge can be accessed by ζ (zeta) potential. A UV–visible spectrophotometer can

determine the optical absorption parameters of nanoparticles. Morphological char-

acterization of nanomaterial can be done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM),

transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Specific vital parameters are needed to be evaluated while developing an efficient

bioremediation technique. Reproducibility, cost-effectiveness, ease of produc-

tion, efficiency, and recovery time are critically monitored for biofunctionalized

nanomaterial-based bioremediation. Nanoparticles are commonly biofunctional-

ized by nucleic acid, antibody, polymer, surfactant, protein, peptide, or enzyme.

The interaction between nanoparticle and bio-part is mediated by covalent

bonds, non-covalent bonds, encapsulation, or adsorption. The nanoparticle’s

biofunctionalization is a sensitive method, and retaining maximum efficiency,

preventing cross-linking, and stability are the crucial parameters that are carefully

monitored during the production process. With the ability to reduce xenobiotics

Biotechnology for Zero Waste: Emerging Waste Management Techniques, First Edition.

Edited by Chaudhery Mustansar Hussain and Ravi Kumar Kadeppagari.