Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.1 (continued)
Representative
nanomaterials
Desirable nanomaterials
properties
Applications
Enabled technologies
Disinfection
and microbial
control
Nano-Ag
Strong and wide-spectrum anti-
microbial activity, low toxicity
to humans, ease of use
POU water disinfection,
anti-biofouling surface
Carbon
nanotubes
Antimicrobial activity, fiber
shape, conductivity
POU water disinfection,
anti-biofouling surface
Nano-TiO
2
Photocatalytic ROS generation,
high chemical stability, low
human toxicity and cost
POU to full-scale disin-
fection and
decontamination
Sensing and
monitoring
Quantum dots
Broad absorption spectrum,
narrow, bright, and stable
emission which scales with the
particle size and chemical
component
Optical detection
Noble metal
nanoparticles
Enhanced localized surface
plasmon resonances, high
conductivity
Optical and electrochem-
ical detection
Dye-doped
silica
nanoparticles
High sensitivity and stability,
rich silica chemistry for easy
conjugation
Optical detection
Carbon
nanotubes
Large surface area, high
mechanical strength and chem-
ical stability, excellent elec-
tronic properties
Electrochemical detec-
tion, sample
preconcentration
Magnetic
nanoparticles
Tunable surface chemistry,
superparamagnetism
Sample preconcentration
and purification
Table 5.2 Some applications of nanotechnology in agriculture (adapted from Ghormade
et al.
2011
). Reproduced by permission of Elsevier
Application
Nanoparticles
Pesticide delivery
Chemical
Avermectin
Porous hollow silica (15 nm)
Ethiprole or phenylpyrazole
Poly-caprolactone (135 nm)
Gamma-cyhalothrin
Solid lipid (300 nm)
Tebuconazole/chlorothalonil
Polyvinylpyridine and
polyvinylpyridine-costyrene
(100 nm)
Biopesticides
Plant origin: nanosilica for insect control
Artemisia
arborescens
essential oil encapsulation
Nanosilica (3-5 nm)
Solid lipid (200-294 nm)
Microorganisms:
Lagenidium giganteum
cells in
emulsion
Silica (7-14 nm)
Microbial product: absorption of
Myrothecium
verrucaria
enzyme complex
Chitosan/kaolin (250-350 nm)
Fertilizer delivery