Allotropy of selenium nanoparticles: Colourful transition, synthesis, and biotechnological applications. Issue 5 (9th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruiz‐Fresneda, Miguel A.; Staicu, Lucian C.; Lazuén‐López, Guillermo; Merroun, Mohamed L.
• Other Names: Carmona Manuel guestEditor.; Poblete‐Castro Ignacio guestEditor.; Rai Mahendra guestEditor.; Turner Raymond J. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Microbial biotechnology. Volume 16:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: 877
• Page End: 892
• Publication Date: 2023-01-09
• Subjects: Microbial biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Microbiology; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7915

Abstract

Abstract: Elemental selenium (Se 0 ) nanomaterials undergo allotropic transition from thermodynamically‐unstable to more stable phases. This process is significantly different when Se 0 nanoparticles (NPs) are produced via physico‐chemical and biological pathways. While the allotropic transition of physico‐chemically synthesized Se 0 is fast (minutes to hours), the biogenic Se 0 takes months to complete. The biopolymer layer covering biogenic Se 0 NPs might be the main factor controlling this retardation, but this still remains an open question. Phylogenetically‐diverse bacteria reduce selenium oxyanions to red amorphous Se 0 allotrope, which has low market value. Then, red Se 0 undergoes allotropic transition to trigonal (metallic grey) allotrope, the end product having important industrial applications (e.g. semiconductors, alloys). Is it not yet clear whether biogenic Se 0 presents any biological function, or it is mainly a detoxification and respiratory by‐product. The better understanding of this transition would benefit the recovery of Se 0 NPs from secondary resources and its targeted utilization with respect to each allotropic stage. This review article presents and critically discusses the main physico‐chemical methods and biosynthetic pathways of Se 0 (bio)mineralization. In addition, the article proposes a conceptual model for the resource recovery potential of trigonal selenium nanomaterials in the context of circular economy. Abstract : The present manuscript consists of a novel review compiling an updated state of the art about the synthesis, applications, and allotropic transitions of SeNPs within the circular economy concept.