?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F19843%2F&rft.title=Enzyme-catalyzed+Degradation+of+Carbon+Nanomaterials&rft.creator=Kotchey%2C+Gregg+P&rft.description=Carbon+nanotubes+and+graphene%2C+the+nanoscale+sp2+allotropes+of+carbon%2C+have+garnered+widespread+attention+as+a+result+of+their+remarkable+electrical%2C+mechanical%2C+and+optical+properties+and+the+promise+of+new+technologies+that+harness+these+properties.+Consequently%2C+these+carbon+nanomaterials+(CNMs)+have+been+employed+for+diverse+applications+such+as+electronics%2C+sensors%2C+composite+materials%2C+energy+conversion+devices%2C+and+nanomedicine.+The+manufacture+and+eventual+disposal+of+these+products+may+result+in+the+release+of+CNMs+into+the+environment+and+subsequent+exposure+to+humans%2C+animals%2C+and+vegetation.+Given+the+possible+pro-inflammatory+and+toxic+effects+of+CNMs%2C+much+attention+has+been+focused+on+the+distribution%2C+toxicity%2C+and+persistence+of+CNMs+both+in+living+systems+and+the+environment.+%0D%0AThis+dissertation+will+guide+the+reader+though+recent+studies+aimed+at+elucidating+fundamental+insight+into+the+persistence+of+CNMs+such+as+carbon+nanotubes+(CNTs)+and+graphene+derivatives+(i.e.%2C+graphene+oxide+and+reduced+graphene+oxide).+In+particular%2C+in-test-tube+oxidation%2Fdegradation+of+CNMs+catalyzed+by+peroxidase+enzymes+will+be+examined%2C+and+the+current+understanding+of+the+mechanisms+underlying+these+processes+will+be+discussed.+++Finally%2C+an+outlook+of+the+current+field+including+in+vitro+and+in+vivo+biodegradation+experiments%2C+which+have+benefits+in+terms+of+human+health+and+environmental+safety%2C+and+future+directions+that+could+have+implications+for+nanomedical+applications+such+as+imaging+and+drug+delivery+will+be+presented.+%0D%0AArmed+with+an+understanding+of+how+and+why+CNMs+undergo+enzyme-catalyzed+oxidation%2Fbiodegradation%2C+researchers+can+tailor+the+structure+of+CNMs+to+either+promote+or+inhibit+these+processes.+For+example%2C+in+nanomedical+applications+such+as+drug+delivery%2C+the+incorporation+of+carboxylate+functional+groups+could+facilitate+biodegradation+of+the+nanomaterial+after+delivery+of+the+cargo.+Also%2C+the+incorporation+of+CNMs+with+defect+sites+in+consumer+goods+could+provide+a+mechanism+that+promotes+the+degradation+of+these+materials+once+these+products+reach+landfills.&rft.date=2014-01-31&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F19843%2F1%2FKotcheyGreggP_ETD_2013.pdf&rft.identifier=++Kotchey%2C+Gregg+P++(2014)+Enzyme-catalyzed+Degradation+of+Carbon+Nanomaterials.++Doctoral+Dissertation%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++