title: Γ-Al₂O₃-based nanocomposite adsorbents for arsenic(V) removal: assessing performance, toxicity and particle leakage.
abstract: The generation and development of effective adsorption materials for arsenic removal are urgently needed due to acute arsenic contamination of water sources in many regions around the world. In the search for these new adsorbents, the application of nanomaterials or nanocomposites, and especially the use of nanoparticles (NPs), has proven increasingly attractive. While the adsorptive performance of a range of nanocomposite and nanomaterial-based systems has been extensively reviewed in previously-published literature, the stability of these systems in terms of NP release, i.e. the ability of the nanomaterial or nanocomposite to retain incorporated NPs, is less well understood. Here we examine the performance of nanocomposites comprised of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (AluNPs) incorporated in macroporous polyacrylamide-based cryogels (n-Alu-cryo, where n indicates the percentage of AluNPs in the polymer material (n=0-6%, w/v)) for As(V) adsorption, and evaluate AluNP leakage before and after the use of these materials. A range of techniques is utilised and assessed (SEM, TEM, mass weight change, PIXE and in vitro toxicity studies). The 4-Alu-cryo nanocomposite was shown to be optimal for minimising AluNP losses while maximising As(V) removal. From the same nanocomposite we were further able to show that NP losses were not detectable at the AluNP concentrations used in the study. Toxicity tests revealed that no cytotoxic effects could be observed. The cryogel-AluNPs composites were not only effective in As(V) removal but also in immobilising the AluNPs. More challenging flow-through conditions for the evaluation of NP leakage could be included as a next step in a continued study assessing particle loss and subsequent toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: Linda.Onnby@biotek.lu.se.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Onnby
authors.affiliation: Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 26, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ, UK.
authors.forename: Lubinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mbundi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; Kingston University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, UK.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busquets
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cundy
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirsebom
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Adsorbents; Aluminium oxide; Composites; Macroporous polymers; Nanoparticles; Risk assessment