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Stability of silver nanoparticle sulfidation products
Nathaniel D Fletcher1, Heather C Lieb1, Katherine M Mullaugh1
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, 66 George St., College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|August 24, 2018
Summary
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) react with sulfide in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), forming silver sulfide (Ag2S). This transformation significantly limits the release of silver ions (Ag+), reducing potential environmental harm from nanosilver.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are increasingly used in consumer products.
- Concerns exist regarding the environmental impact of widespread Ag NP use.
- Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) present sulfide-rich conditions potentially altering Ag NPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical transformations of Ag NPs in WWTPs.
- To determine the extent of sulfidation and its effect on silver ion (Ag+) release.
- To assess the stability of sulfidized Ag NPs.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring Ag NP reactions with varying sulfide levels over two months.
- Using ion-selective electrodes and UV/visible spectrophotometry.
- Characterizing sulfidation products via purge-and-trap acid volatile sulfide (AVS) analysis and ICP-MS.
Main Results:
- Sulfidation was observed to limit Ag+ release from Ag NPs.
- Dynamic changes in Ag NP characteristics were noted, with partial recovery of surface plasmon resonance.
- ICP-MS confirmed reduced Ag+ release over a two-month period, even with limited sulfide.
Conclusions:
- Sulfidation of Ag NPs in WWTPs effectively reduces the release of Ag+ ions.
- The formation of silver sulfide (Ag2S) stabilizes nanosilver, mitigating environmental risks.
- Even under limited sulfide conditions, sulfidation provides a protective effect against Ag+ leaching.
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