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Nano-C60 and hydroxylated C60: Their impacts on the environment

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Abstract

Because of their broad applications, nanoparticles became “the next big thing” throughout the industry. C60 belongs to a family of fullerenes. With increasing affordability and availability, fullerenes are already used in many consumer products and under extensive studies to be used in more products. As such, there is an increased risk of releasing fullerenes into the environment. C60 forms colloidal aggregates (nano-C60) upon contact with water, which can interact with biological systems. Some derivatized C60 can form colloidal aggregates of various sizes in water, depending on the surface chemistry. Recently, there were controversies on the toxicities of water suspensions of fullerenes and their derivatives and the mechanisms underlying their toxicities. Before discussing potential benefits of nanotechnology, it is important to correctly assess the risks and determine the impacts. In this review, we focus on controversies on the toxicities of nano-C60 and hydroxylated C60 and their potential risks on biological systems.

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  1. Advanced Functional Nanohybrid Material Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea

    Hyun Jung

  2. Department of Life Science, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea

    Chan-Ung Wang & Wonhee Jang

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Jung, H., Wang, CU. & Jang, W. Nano-C60 and hydroxylated C60: Their impacts on the environment. Toxicol. Environ. Health. Sci. 1, 132–139 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03216475

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