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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Dispersion of Nanomaterials in Aqueous Media: Towards Protocol Optimization
Published on: December 25, 2017
Impact of Phosphate Adsorption on Complex Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersibility in Aqueous Media
Elizabeth D Laudadio1, Joseph W Bennett2, Curtis M Green1
1Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States.
Abstract:
A commonly overlooked and largely unknown aspect of assessing the environmental and biological safety of engineered nanomaterials is their transformation in aqueous systems. Complex metal oxides are an important class of materials for catalysis, energy storage, and water purification. However, the potential impact of nano complex metal oxides on the environment upon improper disposal is not well understood. We present a comprehensive analysis of the interaction of an environmentally relevant oxyanion, phosphate, with a complex metal oxide nanomaterial, lithium cobalt oxide. Our results show that adsorption of phosphate to the surface of these materials drastically impacts their surface charge, rendering them more stable in aqueous systems. The adsorbed phosphate remains on the surface over significant periods of time, suggesting that desorption is not kinetically favored. The implications of this interaction may be increased dispersibility and bioavailability of these materials in environmental water systems.
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