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Dispersion of Nanomaterials in Aqueous Media: Towards Protocol Optimization
Published on: December 25, 2017
Nanoparticle dissolution from the particle perspective: insights from particle sizing measurements
Sherrie Elzey1, Vicki H Grassian
1Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 2, 2010
Summary
This study tracked copper nanoparticle dissolution in acidic water. Real-time measurements revealed dynamic changes in particle size distribution, offering key insights into nanoscale dissolution processes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are increasingly used in various applications.
- Understanding their environmental behavior, including dissolution, is crucial.
- Low-pH conditions can accelerate the dissolution of metal nanoparticles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dissolution of copper nanoparticles in aqueous low-pH suspensions.
- To characterize the real-time changes in nanoparticle size distribution during dissolution.
- To understand the dynamic processes governing nanoparticle transformation in acidic environments.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bulk measurements of copper ion production via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP/OES).
- Employed an electrospray atomizer coupled to a scanning mobility particle sizer (ES-SMPS) for real-time particle size distribution (PSD) monitoring.
- Dissolved copper nanoparticles in hydrochloric acid solution to simulate low-pH conditions.
Main Results:
- Observed a decrease in copper nanoparticle size correlating with ion production.
- Detected significant changes in the particle size distribution (PSD) over time.
- Noted a shift in modality of the PSD from unimodal to multimodal during the dissolution process.
Conclusions:
- Direct, real-time measurement of nanoparticle PSD is essential for capturing dynamic dissolution details.
- Observed changes in PSD modality provide critical insights into nanoscale dissolution mechanisms.
- This study highlights the importance of advanced particle-sizing techniques for understanding nanoparticle environmental fate.
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