Dissolution of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in aqueous media.
The dissolution of Ag (citrate, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan coated), ZnO, CuO and carbon coated Cu nanoparticles (with two nominal sizes each) has been studied in artificial aqueous media, similar in chemistry to environmental waters, for up to 19 days. The dissolved fraction was determined using DGT (Diffusion Gradients in Thin films), dialysis membrane (DM) and ultrafiltration (UF). Relatively small fractions of Ag nanoparticles dissolved, whereas ZnO dissolved nearly completely within few hours. Cu and CuO dissolved as a function of pH. Using DGT, less dissolved Ag was measured compared to UF and DM, likely due to differences in diffusion of organic complexes. Similar dissolved metal concentrations of ZnO, Cu and CuO nanoparticles were determined using DGT and UF, but lower using DM. The results indicate that there is a need to apply complementary techniques to precisely determine dissolution of nanoparticles in aqueous media.
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Department Environmental Toxicology (Utox), Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland. Electronic address: odzak@eawag.ch.
Niksa
N
Odzak
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Department Environmental Toxicology (Utox), Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
David
D
Kistler
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Department Environmental Toxicology (Utox), Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Renata
R
Behra
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Department Environmental Toxicology (Utox), Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Laura
L
Sigg
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D002951:Citrates / Q000737:chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D014462:Ultrafiltration; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D002951:Citrates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D012834:Silver; D002244:Carbon; D003300:Copper; D005780:Gelatin; D048271:Chitosan; D011205:Povidone; D015034:Zinc Oxide; C030973:cupric oxide
Carbon coated copper; Copper oxide; DGT; Dialysis membrane; Nanoparticles dissolution; Silver; Ultrafiltration; Zinc oxide