Skip to main content
Skip header

ECTS Course Overview



Nanomaterials and the environment

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code651-2062/02
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated3 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Optional
Level of Course Unit *First Cycle
Year of Study *
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredWinter, Summer Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionEnglish
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites Course succeeds to compulsory courses of previous semester
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
LES05Prof. Mgr. Jana Kukutschová, Ph.D.
Summary
The course is comprehensively focused on the use of nanomaterials for environmental protection, but also on the presence of nanomaterials as undesirable components in the environment. Attention is paid to selected applications of nanomaterials for environmental analysis, methods of air, water and soil purification using nanomaterials. Following this, the issue of release, transformation and possible impacts of the presence of nanomaterials in individual components of the environment is discussed. Special attention is paid to the key parameters of nanomaterials, which are crucial for the possible negative effects of their presence in the environment, also in relation to the exposure of living organisms to these materials. The issue of contamination of individual components of the environment with nanomaterials and possible impacts resulting from it, including the final phase of the life cycle of nanomaterials, when they become waste materials, are also discussed. Due to the exposure of living organisms to these materials in the environment, attention is paid to the possible effects of nanomaterials on living organisms at the molecular, cellular and organ levels for organisms of different trophic levels. With regard to the issue of testing nanomaterials, the content of the course also includes the issue of ethical aspects and, in the final stage, the legislative framework for the use of nanomaterials.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with basic knowledge about occurrence, classification and properties of nanomaterials.
Course Contents
1. Introduction: Occurrence, classification and basic properties of nanomaterials. Occurrence of nanoparticles in nature. Classification of nanomaterials according to dimensionality 1D, 2D, nanostructures, nanocomposites. History. An overview of the most important applications of nanomaterials.
2. Nanomaterials of natural origin and nanomaterials arising as by-products of anthropogenic activities.
3. Why are nanomaterials important? Advantages of nanostructures, controlled creation of new properties, examples of materials with different morphologies: Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Quantum Dots, Nanoshell, Nanopores, Fullerenes, Diamond, Carbon Nanotubes (Carbon-Based NPs), Graphene.
4. Application of nanomaterials in the analysis of environmental samples, use of nanomaterials in nanosensors.
5. Applications of nanomaterials for air purification, photocatalytic air purification, air disinfection.
6. Application of nanomaterials for water purification, adsorption of contaminants on nanomaterials, photocatalytic water purification, water disinfection, use of nanomembranes.
7. Application of nanomaterials in agriculture, use of fertilizers or pesticides in nanoform, use of nanomaterials in denitrification processes.
8. Why are nanomaterials dangerous? Toxicologically important parameters of nanomaterials, inhalation toxicity, dermal toxicity, possible types of interactions with living organisms at the molecular, cellular and organ level.
9. The fate of nanomaterials in the environment, their transport in individual components of the environment. Biotransformation of selected nanomaterials. Bioaccumulation and deposition in individual parts of the organism.
10. Problems of air, water and soil contamination.
11. Nanomaterials as waste.
12. In vitro, in vivo, in silico methods of toxicity testing of nanomaterials, the influence of nanomaterials on living organisms at the molecular and cellular level.
13. Ecotoxicity of nanomaterials - effects on selected groups of organisms, including humans. Genotoxic effects of selected nanomaterials.
14. Ethical aspects of the use of nanomaterials and the legislative framework for the use of nanomaterials.
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
M. H. Fulekar, B. Pathak: Environmental Nanotechnology 1st Edition; CRC, 2017 ISBN 9781498726238.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 1, Springer 2018, ISBN 978-3-319-76089-6.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 2, Springer 2019, ISBN 978-3-319-98707-1.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 3, Springer 2020, ISBN 978-3-030-26671-4.


M. H. Fulekar, B. Pathak: Environmental Nanotechnology 1st Edition; CRC, 2017 ISBN 9781498726238.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 1, Springer 2018, ISBN 978-3-319-76089-6.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 2, Springer 2019, ISBN 978-3-319-98707-1.
N. Dasgupta, S. Ranjan, E. Lichtfouse: Environmental Nanotechnology, Vol. 3, Springer 2020, ISBN 978-3-030-26671-4.


Recommended Reading:
Dieter Vollath Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications 2nd Edition; Wiley, 2013.
Dieter Vollath Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications 2nd Edition; Wiley, 2013.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Project work
Assesment methods and criteria
Tasks are not Defined