Julia Griffin

A nanomaterial life-cycle risk assessment (Nano LCRA) was conducted for second-generation functionalized cellulose nanomaterials (CNs) in five case studies, including applications in water filtration, food contact packaging (including as an additive and coating), and food additives, to identify and prioritize potential occupational, health, consumer, and environmental risks. Exposure scenarios were developed and ranked for each product life-cycle stage. A Safer-by-Design Toolbox (SbD Toolbox) representing a compendium of high-throughput physical, chemical, and toxicological new approach methodologies (NAMs) was used for a screening-level hazard assessment. Overall, risks identified for the CN-enabled products were low. Of the exposure scenarios, occupational inhalation exposures during product manufacturing and application ranked the highest. Despite differences in chemistry and morphology, the materials behaved similarly in oral, dermal, and inhalation models, supporting their grouping and read-across. The screening-level hazard assessment identified potential lung inflammation associated with CN exposure, and a review of the literature supported this funding, suggesting CNs behave as poorly soluble, low-toxicity dusts with the potential to irritate the lung. Key research gaps to reduce uncertainty include evaluating long-term, low-dose exposures typical of the workplace, as well as the potential release and toxicity of CN-containing composite particles.

Antiwear additives permit energy-efficient lubrication of gearboxes, bearings, and other tribological interfaces. We study zirconia (ZrO₂) nanocrystal additives, which readily form protective tribofilms in tribological contacts. Our prior work demonstrated cooperative antiwear performance between ZrO₂ and the S- and P-based co-additives in fully formulated hydrocarbon gear oils. Here, we extend that work by examining the growth kinetics of the ZrO₂ tribofilms, including the influence of the co-additives. In the boundary lubrication regime for mixed rolling-sliding contacts, the initial phase of ZrO₂ tribofilm growth is soon overtaken by removal processes, phenomena whose importance has gone unnoticed in prior work. Tribofilm removal affects the steady-state thickness and morphology of the tribofilm as well as its growth kinetics. The S- and P-based co-additives are incorporated into the ZrO₂ tribofilm, and alter the competition between the growth and removal processes, increasing initial net growth rates per contact cycle and contributing to a more polished final interface. This work highlights the significance of removal processes in determining tribofilm antiwear performance, and suggests several routes for improving tribofilm growth kinetics using co-additives. Graphical abstract