Biodegradation and biodeterioration at the nanoscale: an introduction

Abstract Based on the available literature, biodegradation and biodeterioration at the nanoscale aim to explore two critical issues, among others: (1) exploitation of catalytic cues or adsorbents, which are engineered at the nanoscale, for highly effective and sustainable biodegradation and biodeterioration of thousands of toxic and hazardous chemical compounds of so-called pollutants of serious concern; (2) effects/roles of engineered nanoscale materials in the biodegradation/biodeterioration processes. Regarding the environmental impacts, the biodegradation of polymers, plastics, and environmentally related pollutants of concern has a positive impact. In contrast, biodeterioration/biocorrosion of metals or alloys has a negative impact. In fact, nanoparticles can accelerate or inhibit the biodegradation process, depending on the nature of bacteria, fungi, algae, enzymes, nanomaterials, or bulk materials, especially in the soil environment. In general, biodegradation refers mostly to the microbial-induced degradation of polymers, plastics, and environmentally related pollutants of concern. In this direction, the incorporation of nanomaterials in an organic matrix (nanocomposites) might affect its degradation due to of their nanotoxicity. In the case of metals and their alloys, their biodeterioration/biocorrosion due to microbial biofilms’ presence could be reduced by the introduction of nanocrystals/nanophases into the metal matrix (nanoalloys).