title: Comprehensive understanding of nano-sized particle separation processes using nanoparticle tracking analysis.
abstract: The understanding of nano-sized particle separation processes has been limited by difficulties of nanoparticle characterization. In this study, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was deployed to evaluate the absolute particle size distributions in laboratory scale flocculation and filtration experiments with silver nanoparticles. The results from NTA were consistent with standard theories of particle destabilization and transport. Direct observations of changes in absolute particle size distributions from NTA enhance both qualitative and quantitative understanding of particle separation processes of nano-sized particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, One University Station C1786, Austin, TX, USA E-mail: dlawler@mail.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Desmond F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Lawler
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, One University Station C1786, Austin, TX, USA E-mail: dlawler@mail.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Sungmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, One University Station C1786, Austin, TX, USA E-mail: dlawler@mail.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Tongren
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, One University Station C1786, Austin, TX, USA E-mail: dlawler@mail.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Ijung
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Boris L T
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D001578:Benzopyrans; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D005374:Filtration; D005427:Flocculation; D006812:Humic Substances; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010316:Particle Size; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D006812:Humic Substances; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D009566:Nitrates; D019343:Citric Acid; D012834:Silver; C018330:magnesium nitrate; C031618:sodium nitrate; D011205:Povidone; C059948:calcium nitrate; C005023:fulvic acid