title: Induction thermal plasma process modifies the physicochemical properties of materials used for carbon nanotube production, influencing their cytotoxicity.
abstract: The effect of radio frequency induction thermal plasma (RFITP) process on the cytotoxicity of materials used for single-walled carbon nanotube production remains unknown. In this study, the influence of RFITP process on physicochemical and cytotoxic properties of commercial Co, Ni, Y₂O₃, Mo catalysts and carbon black was investigated. The cytotoxic assays (MTS, LDH, neutral red, TUNEL) revealed the strongest effect of commercial Co on murine Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts affecting their viability in a dose-dependent manner within 24 h. The cells contained also less actin stress fibres. Although RFITP affects the properties of each catalyst (size, morphology, chemistry), only cytotoxicity of Ni catalyst was increased. The plasma-treated Ni induced apoptosis. Comparing Ni particles before and after RFITP process with commercial nanoparticles of Ni revealed that the particles with similar surface area have different cytotoxicities. Interestingly, the observed toxicity of the catalysts was not mainly due to the release of ions.
authors.affiliation: Thermal Plasma and Nanomaterial Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke , 2500 boul université J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Yasaman
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alinejad
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Faucheux
authors.forename: Gervais
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soucy
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002384:Catalysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D058626:Plasma Gases