Aggregation and disaggregation of Al2O3 nanoparticles: influence of solution pH, humic acid, and electrolyte cations
Extensive use of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles in consumer and industrial products has led to concerns about their potential environmental impacts in the recent years. In most studies concerning Al 2 O 3 aggregation and disaggregation, more was to consider the single factor that influences their environmen...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Colloid and polymer science 2023-08, Vol.301 (8), p.989-999 |
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Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Extensive use of Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles in consumer and industrial products has led to concerns about their potential environmental impacts in the recent years. In most studies concerning Al
2
O
3
aggregation and disaggregation, more was to consider the single factor that influences their environmental behaviors. Understanding the combined abiotic factors that influence the fate, transport, and stability of nanoparticles in a complex aquatic system has become extremely important. Here, we reported and analyzed the major abiotic factors such as typical solution pH, electrolyte cations in different valences (Na
+
and Ca
2+
), and the presence of humic acid (HA) that influence the stability, aggregation, and disaggregation behaviors of Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles in a complex aquatic system. Dynamic light scattering technique combined with fluorescence spectroscopic analysis was used to explore the aggregation mechanisms. Experimental results indicated that Al
2
O
3
nanoparticle stability was mainly controlled by the steric hindrance, van der Walls, and electrostatic interactions between HA and Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles. Aggregation kinetics and attachment efficiency studies induced by the addition of Na
+
and Ca
2+
cations confirmed that divalent electrolytes could reduce the large energy barrier between the charged colloidal particles more efficiently, and induce a more aggressive aggregation of the particles. Additionally, the bridging effect of HA with Ca
2+
was also an important mechanism for the aggregation enhancement, which had been confirmed by the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra analysis. These findings are useful in understanding the environmental challenges of inorganic colloidal particles in natural environments. |
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ISSN: | 0303-402X 1435-1536 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00396-023-05124-y |