Assessment of the physico-chemical behavior of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in aquatic environments using multi-dimensional parameter testing

Author(s)

Frank von der Kammer, Thilo Hofmann, Stephanie Ottofülling

Abstract

Assessment of the behavior and fate of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in natural aquatic media is

crucial for the identification of environmentally critical properties of the ENPs. Here we present

a methodology for testing the dispersion stability, z-potential and particle size of engineered nanoparticles

as a function of pH and water composition. The results obtained from already widely used

titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Evonik P25 and Hombikat UV-100) serve as a proof-of-concept for the

proposed testing scheme. In most cases the behavior of the particles in the tested settings follows the

expectations derived from classical DLVO theory for metal oxide particles with variable charge and an

isoelectric point at around pH 5, but deviations also occur. Regardless of a 5-fold difference in BET specific

surface area particles composed of the same core material behave in an overall comparable manner. The

presented methodology can act as a basis for the development of standardised methods for comparing

the behavior of different nanoparticles within aquatic systems.

Organisation(s)

Journal

Environmental Pollution

Volume

158

Pages

3472-3481

No. of pages

10

ISSN

0269-7491

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.05.007

Publication date

2010

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

210006 Nanotechnology, 104002 Analytical chemistry, 104023 Environmental chemistry, 105904 Environmental research

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