Transport Of TiO2 Nanoparticles Research Articles

Cotransport of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and formaldehyde in saturated and unsaturated columns packed with quartz sand

AbstractLaboratory‐scale experiments were conducted to investigate the simultaneous transport of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and formaldehyde (FA) in columns packed with quartz sand under water saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. The effects of interstitial velocity and solution ionic strength on the TiO2 and FA cotransport were examined. The experimental results indicated that substantial retention of TiO2 nanoparticles occurs in both saturated and unsaturated porous media. The solution ionic strength was found to have a noticeable effect on the retention of TiO2 nanoparticles in the packed columns. Moreover, the results from the TiO2 nanoparticle transport experiments in water‐saturated packed columns suggested that the TiO2 nanoparticle mass recoveries increased with increasing flow rate. The results from the TiO2 nanoparticles and FA cotransport experiments in both water saturated and unsaturated packed columns did not reveal a distinct relationship between mass recoveries and flow rate. The transport of FA in both saturated and unsaturated packed columns was hindered in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles, especially at high ionic strength. This work provides useful insights into fate and transport of TiO2 nanoparticles and FA in saturated and unsaturated porous media.

Influence of phosphate on deposition and detachment of TiO2 nanoparticles in soil

The widespread use of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) makes inevitable their release into the soil. Phosphate is also widespread within soil, and is likely copresent with TiO2 NPs. However, the influence of phosphate on deposition/release— and thereby on transport— of TiO2 NPs in soil is yet to be elucidated. In this study we conducted saturated column experiments to systematically examine the transport of TiO2 NPs in soil amended with phosphate at different ionic strengths (ISs) (1, 10, 100 mmol/L NaCl) and pHs (4 and 9). Results show that the deposition of TiO2 NPs decreased with decreasing IS, increasing pH, and when soil absorbed phosphate. These observations are qualitatively in agreement with Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) interaction energy calculations, because the repulsive energy barrier is larger and secondary minimum depth is smaller at a lower IS, higher pH, and in the presence of phosphate. Accordingly, both primary- and secondary-minimum deposition were inhibited. Interestingly, although the deposition was less at higher pH and in the presence of phosphate, the subsequent spontaneous detachment and detachment by reduction of solution IS in these cases were greater. In addition, the presence of phosphate in the solution can cause a small quantity of attached TiO2 NPs to detach, even without perturbations of physical and chemical conditions. Our study was the first to investigate the influence of phosphate on detachment of TiO2 NPs and the results have important implication for accurate prediction of fate and transport of TiO2 NPs in subsurface environments. Open image in new window

Effects of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, ferrihydrite coating, ionic strength and pH on the transport of TiO2 nanoparticles in quartz sand

Evaluating the fate and transport of nanoparticles (NPs) in the subsurface environment is critical for predicting the potential risks to both of the human health and environmental safety. It is believed that numerous environmental factors conspire to control the transport dynamics of nanoparticles, yet the effects of organic phosphates on nanoparticles transport remain largely unknown. In this work, we quantified the transport process of TiO2 nanoparticle (nTiO2) and their retention patterns in water-saturated sand columns under various myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) or phosphate (Pi) concentrations (0–180 μM P), ferrihydrite coating fractions (λ, 0–30%), ionic strengths (1–50 mM KCl), and pH values (4–8). The transport of nTiO2 was enhanced at increased P concentration due to the enhanced colloidal stability. As compared with Pi at the equivalent P level, IHP showed stronger effect on the electrokinetic properties of nTiO2 particles due to its relatively more negative charge and higher adsorption affinity, thereby facilitating the nTiO2 transport (and thus reduced retention) in porous media. At the IHP concentration of 5 μM, the retention of nTiO2 increased with increasing λ and ionic strength, while decreased with pH. In addition, the retention profiles of nTiO2 showed a typical hyperexponential pattern for most scenarios mainly due to the unfavorable attachment, and can be well described by a hybrid mathematical model that coupled convection dispersion equations with a two-site kinetic model and DLVO theory. These quantitative estimations revealed the importance of IHP on affecting the transport of nTiO2 typically in phosphorus-enriched environments. It provides new insights into advanced understanding of the co-transport of nanoparticles and phosphorus in natural systems, essential for both nanoparticle exposure and water eutrophication.

Transport of TiO2 nanoparticles and their effects on the mobility of Cu in soil media

Transport of TiO2 nanoparticles and their effects on the mobility of Cu in soil media

Transport of TiO2 nanoparticles in soil in the presence of surfactants

This paper aimed to investigate the influences of surfactants on the nanoparticle transport behavior in soil. The transport behaviors of TiO2 nanoparticles (nTiO2) in soil with three different surfactants, including Triton X-100 (TX-100), sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and cationic cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were studied. Results showed that all the three surfactants decreased the mobility of nTiO2 in soil column, which were mainly caused by the strong adsorption of surfactants on soil and nTiO2. The inhibition order was as follows: CTAB>SDBS>TX-100. Combined effect experiments showed that when solution ionic strength (IS) increased, TX-100 or CTAB inhibited the mobility of nTiO2 in soil. However, the effect of SDBS on nTiO2 transport shifted from inhibition to facilitation when IS increased from 0.1 to 5mM. This was mainly attributed to the decreasing adsorption of SDBS on soil with increased IS, whereas the adsorption of TX-100 and CTAB was independent of IS. This innovative information motivates further insight into the role of surfactants on nanoparticle transport behavior in soil.

Effects of Humic Acid on Surface Characteristics and Hydrodynamic Properties of Alum-TiO<sub>2</sub> NPs Flocs

In order to understanding of the fate and transport of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) in the water treatment process, this study focused on the particle surface characteristics and hydrodynamic properties at different humic acid (HA) concentration, using aluminum sulfate (AS) as a coagulant. The changes of zeta potential of humic acid capped TiO2 NPs and flocs were measured by Malvern Zetasizer nanoZS. The surface functional group of flocs was investigated using FT-IR spectra. The growth velocity of alum-TiO2 NPs flocs were determined using a small-angle light scattering technique during the coagulation process.Experimental results indicated that the zeta potential of alum-TiO2 NPs flocs surface after adsorption of humic acid was related with humic acid concentration. Adsorption of humic acid resulted in more negative electrophoresis on the surface. Size and growth velocity of alum-TiO2 NPs flocs were estimated at different humic acid concentration. It was found that the flocs growed were faster in the presence of humic acid, while humic acid had adverse influences on the growth of alum-TiO2 NPs flocs.

Impact of Humic Acid on the Charge Behavior and Coagulation of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles Suspension

In order to understanding of the fate and transport of TiO2 nanoparticles (Nps) in the water treatment process, this study focused on the impact of humic acid (HA) on the aggregation and charge behavior of TiO2 Nps, and investigated the removability of TiO2 Nps stabilized by HA during the coagulation process. Malvern Zetasizer nanoZS measured the changes of size and zeta potential of HA capped TiO2 Nps (HA-TiO2). Uv-vis spectrometer examined the aggregation behavior of TiO2 and HA-TiO2 NPs at different pH value. Jar tests were conducted to evaluate the removal efficiency of TiO2 NPs. HA adsorbed on the surface of TiO2 Nps could decrease the zeta potential values and enhance the stability of TiO2 Nps. TiO2 Nps could be effectively removed by aluminum sulfate (AS) under favorable condition. HA could influence the removal of TiO2 Nps during the coagulation processes. Low concentration of HA rejected the removal efficiency of TiO2 Nps, however, high concentration of HA promoted removing effectiveness.

Dispersion and stability of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in aqueous suspension: effects of ultrasonication and concentration

The increasing applications of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles raise concerns about their potential environmental impacts. To investigate the fate and transport of TiO(2) nanoparticles in aqueous suspension, ultrasonication is widely used for the dispersion of TiO(2) nanoparticles in laboratory-scale studies. There is a pressing need for detailed information on the dispersion and stability of TiO(2) nanoparticles. This study investigated the change of size, zeta potential, and pH of TiO(2) nanoparticles aqueous suspension under different conditions of ultrasonication and concentrations. It was found that the hydrodynamic diameter of TiO(2) nanoparticles decreased with increasing suspension concentration and remained stable for more than 1 hour after sonication, which is enough for experimental research. The pH decreased with increasing nanoparticles concentration. Ultrasonication remarkably improved zeta potential to be above 15 mV for all the samples. Therefore, 20 minutes of ultrasonication (180 W) is sufficient for the dispersion of this rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles suspension, which can remain stable for more than 1 hour. However, the optimum sonication time for TiO(2) nanoparticles dispersion is influenced by many factors, such as TiO(2) nanoparticles concentration, solution chemistry, and sonicator parameters.