Emerging Materials and Environment: A Brief Introduction

This chapter provides a brief overview of emerging materials that either have the potential to be or have already been identified as problematic for the environment. The growing population, estimated to be ≈ 10 billion people by the year 2050, will create asymmetric pressure on available resources, leading to the need for novel materials to drive technological advancement and alleviate the burden on natural resources. Development and implementation of new materials and technologies driven by necessity may exacerbate environmental contamination as these new materials are rushed into use without forethought into their environmental impacts. In this chapter, various aspects of 3D printing, nanocomposites, electronic waste (E-waste), biomaterials, cellulosic materials, volatile organic compounds (VOC), microplastics, and antibiotics have been discussed in terms of their current or potential environmental relevance. For example, Ag- and TiO ₂ -nanoparticles (NPs) have potential for antibacterial, and UV protection applications, respectively, and are used in textiles, medical devices, dental fillings, etc. However, these NPs can pose a threat if released into the environment, which may occur through leaching mechanisms or through textile laundering. The annual global E-waste production is projected to increase to 74.7 Mt by the year 2030, thus increasing the potential for environmental contamination unless efficient recovery and remediation technologies are developed. Photovoltaic panels (PVs) are one such example that have emerged as significant E-waste contaminants. These devices have only recently been classified as E-waste by the European Commission, and their volumes are anticipated to increase rapidly. During pyrolysis processes (combustion, biomass conversion, etc.), a significant quantity of VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and phenol are expected to be released and pose both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health hazards to the workforce, neighboring general population, and environment. Furthermore, the tracking and detection of increased antibiotic resistance, and accumulation of microplastics leading to organic and metallic pollutants will be highlighted. One major environmental contaminant relevant in today’s society, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), will not be discussed in this chapter as this topic is discussed in two separate chapters in the book. Material types, pros and cons, and modes of release into the environment will be discussed. The topics reviewed in this chapter will support parallel research on environmental impacts of next-generation materials as new technologies are developed and implemented in society.