ABSTRACT
Pure carbon and carbon-related nanomaterials may be considered most versatile particles that are presently studied in physics, chemistry, and bio-engineering. Unique physicochemical properties of carbon-based nano-particles and hybrid materials enable creation of new versatile and miniaturized sensing systems. Typical chromatographic approach involves reversed-phase separation system consisting of octadecylsilane or different n-alkane bounded column as well as mobile phase that is also composed of n-alkanes and typically n-pentane. Recent toxicity studies of common polymers, mainly polyethylene or polypropylene modified with nano-diamonds particles, confirmed very low or no toxicity of food packaging composed of such hybrid materials. Engineered carbon nanomaterials were also broadly tested as promising materials for alternative water disinfection technologies. There is still an increasing interest in research related to carbon-based nanoparticles and particularly, development of new advanced hybrid materials with given physicochemical and mechanical properties. There is also some increasing thread for long term ecotoxicological effects of selected carbon nanoparticles that can be present in soil and water ecosystems.
