Widely distributed nanocolloids in water regulate the fate and risk of graphene oxide

Abstract

The environmental behaviors and risks associated with graphene oxide (GO, a popular 2D nanomaterial) have attracted considerable attention. GO released to aquatic systems will most likely interact with ubiquitous nanocolloids (Nc) in surface water. However, the effects of Nc on the fate and risk of GO remain largely unknown in water. Herein, the binding of Nc onto GO was investigated via electron microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, 2D correlation spectroscopy and biolayer interferometry. The results revealed that electron charge transfers, hydrophilic effects and π-π stacking contributed to a strong affinity (KD = 5.6 nM) and high adsorption capacity (159.8 mg/g) of Nc onto the GO surface. Moreover, GO nanosheets transformed to a scroll morphology or multiple GO particles bridging by Nc, which remarkably reduced the aggregation and sedimentation rates after binding with Nc. Interestingly, co-exposure with Nc greatly alleviated the toxicity (e.g., tail malformation, yolk sac edema and oxidative stress) of GO to zebrafish embryos. Morphological and structural alterations of GO after binding to Nc contributed to the mechanisms for the antagonistic effects on the zebrafish embryos toxicity. The present work provides insights into the environmental fate and risk of GO by ubiquitous Nc in natural water.