1
|
Ouyang S, Bi Z, Zhou Q. Nanocolloids in the soil environment: Transformation, transport and ecological effects. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119852. [PMID: 39197486 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Nanocolloids (Ncs) are ubiquitous in natural systems and play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycling of trace metals and the mobility of organic pollutants. However, the environmental behavior and ecological effects of Ncs in the soil remain largely unknown. The accumulation of Ncs may have detrimental or beneficial effects on different compartments of the soil environment. This review discusses the major transformation processes (e.g., agglomeration/aggregation, absorption, deposition, dissolution, and redox reactions), transport, bioavailability of Ncs, and their roles in element cycles in soil systems. Notably, Ncs can act as effective carriers for other pollutants and contribute to environmental pollution by spreading pathogens, nutrients, heavy metals, and organic contaminants to adjacent water bodies or groundwater. Finally, the key knowledge gaps are highlighted to better predict their potential risks, and important new directions include exploring the geochemical process and mechanism of Ncs's formation; elucidating the transformation, transport, and ultimate fate of Ncs, and their long-term effect on contaminants, organisms, and elemental cycling; and identifying the impact on the growth and quality of important crops, evaluating its dominant effect on agro-ecosystems in the soil environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaohu Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Zhicheng Bi
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Qixing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education)/Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu XR, Liu WS, Zhang M, Jin C, Ding KB, Baker AJM, Qiu RL, Tang YT, Wang SZ. Organic-mineral colloids regulate the migration and fractionation of rare earth elements in groundwater systems impacted by ion-adsorption deposits mining in South China. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121582. [PMID: 38608621 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Ion-adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits distributed in the subtropics provide a rich global source of REEs, but in situ injection of REEs extractant into the mine can result in leachate being leaked into the surrounding groundwater systems. Due to the lack of understanding of REE speciation distribution, particularly colloidal characteristics in a mining area, the risks of REEs migration caused by in situ leaching of ion-adsorption REE deposits has not been concerned. Here, ultrafiltration and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) were integrated to characterize the size and composition of REEs in leachate and groundwater from mining catchments in South China. Results show that REEs were associated with four fractions: 1) the <1 kDa fraction including dissolved REEs; 2) the 1 - 100 kDa nano-colloidal fraction containing organic compounds; 3) the 100 kDa - 220 nm fine colloids including organic-mineral (Fe, Mn and Al (oxy)hydroxides and clay minerals); 4) the >220 nm coarse colloids and acid soluble particles (ASPs) comprising minerals. Influenced by the ion exchange effect of in situ leaching, REEs in leachate were mostly dissolved (79 %). The pH of the groundwater far from the mine site was increased (5.8 - 7.3), the fine organic-mineral colloids (46 % - 80 %) were the main vectors of transport for REEs. Further analysis by AF4 revealed that the fine colloids can be divided into mineral-rich (F1, 100 kDa - 120 nm) and organic matter-rich (F2, 120 - 220 nm) populations. The main colloids associated with REEs shifted from F1 (64 % ∼ 76 %) to F2 (50 % ∼ 52 %) away from the mining area. For F1 and F2, the metal/C molar ratio decreased away from the mining area and middle to heavy REE enrichment was presented. According to the REE fractionation, organic matter was the predominant component capable of binding REEs in fine colloids. Overall, our results indicate that REEs in the groundwater system shifted from the dissolved to the colloidal phase in a catchment affected by in situ leaching, and organic-mineral colloids play an important role in facilitating the migration of REEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Rui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Wen-Shen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Miaoyue Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Chao Jin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Keng-Bo Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Alan J M Baker
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shi-Zhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Y, Cuss CW, Pei L, Shotyk W. Resolving Uncertainties in the Quantification of Trace Elements within Organic-Rich Boreal Rivers for AF4-UV-ICP-MS Analysis. Anal Chem 2024; 96:6889-6897. [PMID: 38651635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) has emerged as a robust technique for the separation of colloid-associated trace elements (TEs) in aqueous samples. Nevertheless, little is known about potential artifacts and how to control them when measuring the concentrations of colloid-associated elements at low (μg L-1) or ultralow concentrations (ng L-1) using AF4-UV-ICP-MS. Water from a boreal river was selected as a challenging test material due to its high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Fe-rich colloids. These colloids are expected to be significant contributors to artifact occurrence, even in a metal-free, ultraclean laboratory. The results show that the adsorption of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb onto acid-cleaned, non-channel surfaces (such as connection tubing and autosampler) accounted for up to 48% of TE loss. These losses on non-channel surfaces also represent potential sources of cross-contamination for Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb. New, uncleaned poly(ether sulfone) membranes are also sources of contamination for Ni and Cu. Analytical bias may exist in the measured concentrations of TEs, primarily due to the potential carryover of weakly adsorbed TEs (e.g., Ni and Cu) on the system surfaces by colloids in the samples (e.g., DOM). On the other hand, colloids in the samples can also act to gradually remove contaminants from the surfaces. For these types of DOM-rich waters, preconditioning the AF4 system using 40 mg C L-1 of Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM, pH = 7) is recommended to mitigate the impact of membrane fouling and carryover. A comprehensive strategy for minimizing instrumental artifacts is presented and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Chad W Cuss
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2H1, Canada
- School of Science and the Environment, Memorial University of Newfoundland (Grenfell Campus), Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador A2H 5G5, Canada
| | - Lei Pei
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - William Shotyk
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2H1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tadjiki S, Sharifi S, Lavasanifar A, Mahmoudi M. Advancing In Situ Analysis of Biomolecular Corona: Opportunities and Challenges in Utilizing Field-Flow Fractionation. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2024; 4:77-85. [PMID: 38645931 PMCID: PMC11027122 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.4c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The biomolecular corona, a complex layer of biological molecules, envelops nanoparticles (NPs) upon exposure to biological fluids including blood. This dynamic interface is pivotal for the advancement of nanomedicine, particularly in areas of therapy and diagnostics. In situ analysis of the biomolecular corona is crucial, as it can substantially improve our ability to accurately predict the biological fate of nanomedicine and, therefore, enable development of more effective, safe, and precisely targeted nanomedicines. Despite its importance, the repertoire of techniques available for in situ analysis of the biomolecular corona is surprisingly limited. This tutorial review provides an overview of the available techniques for in situ analysis of biomolecular corona with a particular focus on exploring both the advantages and the limitations inherent in the use of field-flow fractionation (FFF) for in situ analysis of the biomolecular corona. It delves into how FFF can unravel the complexities of the corona, enhancing our understanding and guiding the design of next-generation nanomedicines for medical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soheyl Tadjiki
- Postnova
Analytics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84102, United States
| | - Shahriar Sharifi
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Afsaneh Lavasanifar
- Faculty
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
- Department
of Chemical and Material Engineering, University
of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2 V4, Canada
| | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cai YH, Gopalakrishnan A, Dong Q, Schäfer AI. Removal of strontium by nanofiltration: Role of complexation and speciation of strontium with organic matter. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121241. [PMID: 38377922 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Strontium (Sr) removal from water is required because excessive naturally occurring Sr exposure is hazardous to human health. Climate and seasonal changes cause water quality variations, in particular quality and quantity of organic matter (OM) and pH, and such variations affect Sr removal by nanofiltration (NF). The mechanisms for such variations are not clear and thus OM complexation and speciation require attention. Sr removal by NF was investigated with emphasis on the role of OM (type and concentration) and pH (2-12) on possible removal mechanisms, specifically size and/or charge exclusion as well as solute-solute interactions. The filtration results show that the addition of various OM (10 types) and an increase of OM concentration (2-100 mgC.L-1) increased Sr removal by 10-15%. The Sr-OM interaction was enhanced with increasing OM concentration, implying enhanced size exclusion via Sr-OM interaction as the main mechanism. Such interactions were quantified by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (FFFF) coupled with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Both extremely low and high pH increased Sr removal due to the enhanced charge exclusion and Sr-OM interactions. This work elucidated and verified the mechanism of OM and pH on Sr removal by NF membranes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Hui Cai
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Akhil Gopalakrishnan
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Qilin Dong
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Andrea I Schäfer
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bocca B, Battistini B. Biomarkers of exposure and effect in human biomonitoring of metal-based nanomaterials: their use in primary prevention and health surveillance. Nanotoxicology 2024; 18:1-35. [PMID: 38436298 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2023.2301692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Metal-based nanomaterials (MNMs) have gained particular interest in nanotechnology industry. They are used in various industrial processes, in biomedical applications or to improve functional properties of several consumer products. The widescale use of MNMs in the global consumer market has resulted in increases in the likelihood of exposure and risks to human beings. Human exposure to MNMs and assessment of their potential health effects through the concomitant application of biomarkers of exposure and effect of the most commonly used MNMs were reviewed in this paper. In particular, interactions of MNMs with biological systems and the nanobiomonitoring as a prevention tool to detect the early damage caused by MNMs as well as related topics like the influence of some physicochemical features of MNMs and availability of analytical approaches for MNMs testing in human samples were summarized in this review. The studies collected and discussed seek to increase the current knowledge on the internal dose exposure and health effects of MNMs, highlighting the advantages in using biomarkers in primary prevention and health surveillance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Battistini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liao G, Derry MJ, Smith AJ, Armes SP, Mykhaylyk OO. Determination of Reaction Kinetics by Time-Resolved Small-Angle X-ray Scattering during Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly: Direct Evidence for Monomer-Swollen Nanoparticles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202312119. [PMID: 37996999 PMCID: PMC10952692 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The kinetics of heterogeneous polymerization is determined directly using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This important advancement is exemplified for the synthesis of sterically-stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) in mineral oil at 90 °C. The principle of mass balance is invoked to derive a series of equations for the analysis of the resulting time-resolved SAXS patterns. Importantly, there is a continuous change in the X-ray scattering length density for the various components within the reaction mixture. This enables the volume fraction of unreacted BzMA monomer to be calculated at any given time point, which enables the polymerization kinetics to be monitored in situ directly without relying on supplementary characterization techniques. Moreover, SAXS enables the local concentration of both monomer and solvent within the growing swollen nanoparticles to be determined during the polymerization. Data analysis reveals that the instantaneous rate of BzMA polymerization is proportional to the local monomer concentration within the nanoparticles. In principle, this powerful new time-resolved SAXS approach can be applicable to other heterogeneous polymerization formulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Liao
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of SheffieldDainton BuildingSheffieldS3 7HFUK
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and TechnologySchool of Emergent Soft MatterGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and DevicesSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhou510640China
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of SheffieldDainton BuildingSheffieldS3 7HFUK
- Aston Advanced Materials Research CentreAston UniversityAston TriangleBirminghamB4 7ETUK
| | - Andrew J. Smith
- Beamline I22Diamond Light Source LtdDiamond HouseDidcotOX11 0DEUK
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of SheffieldDainton BuildingSheffieldS3 7HFUK
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ivaneev AI, Ermolin MS, Fedotov PS, De Carsalade Du Pont V, Lespes G. Novel zone elution mode in coiled tube field-flow fractionation for online separation and characterization of environmental submicron particles. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6363-6373. [PMID: 37606645 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04913-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Coiled tube field-flow fractionation (CTFFF) is currently applied to environmental and material studies. In the present work, a novel zone elution mode in CTFFF has been proposed and developed. Zone elution mode is based on the separation of particles by stepwise decreasing the flow rate of the carrier fluid and their subsequent elution at a constant flow rate. The fractionation parameters were optimized using a mixture of standard silica submicron particles (150, 390, and 900 nm). Taking samples of volcanic ash as examples, it has been demonstrated that zone elution mode can be successfully used for the fractionation of environmental nano- and submicron particles. For the first time, CTFFF was coupled online with a dynamic light scattering detector for the size characterization of eluted particles. Zone elution in CTFFF can serve for the further development of hyphenated techniques enabling efficient fractionation and size/elemental characterization of environmental particles in nano- and submicrometric size ranges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr I Ivaneev
- Laboratory of Nanoparticle Geochemistry, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Mikhail S Ermolin
- Laboratory of Nanoparticle Geochemistry, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Petr S Fedotov
- Laboratory of Nanoparticle Geochemistry, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Valentin De Carsalade Du Pont
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA-E2S), Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254 UPPA/CNRS, 64053, Pau, France
| | - Gaёtane Lespes
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA-E2S), Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les matériaux (IPREM), UMR 5254 UPPA/CNRS, 64053, Pau, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Giordani S, Marassi V, Placci A, Zattoni A, Roda B, Reschiglian P. Field-Flow Fractionation in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Molecules 2023; 28:6201. [PMID: 37687030 PMCID: PMC10488451 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a family of single-phase separative techniques exploited to gently separate and characterize nano- and microsystems in suspension. These techniques cover an extremely wide dynamic range and are able to separate analytes in an interval between a few nm to 100 µm size-wise (over 15 orders of magnitude mass-wise). They are flexible in terms of mobile phase and can separate the analytes in native conditions, preserving their original structures/properties as much as possible. Molecular biology is the branch of biology that studies the molecular basis of biological activity, while biotechnology deals with the technological applications of biology. The areas where biotechnologies are required include industrial, agri-food, environmental, and pharmaceutical. Many species of biological interest belong to the operational range of FFF techniques, and their application to the analysis of such samples has steadily grown in the last 30 years. This work aims to summarize the main features, milestones, and results provided by the application of FFF in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology, with a focus on the years from 2000 to 2022. After a theoretical background overview of FFF and its methodologies, the results are reported based on the nature of the samples analyzed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Giordani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Valentina Marassi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Placci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Andrea Zattoni
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Roda
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Muza UL, Ehrlich L, Pospiech D, Lederer A. High-Resolution Tracking of Multiple Distributions in Metallic Nanostructures: Advanced Analysis Was Carried Out with Novel 3D Correlation Thermal Field-Flow Fractionation. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37441802 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional metallic nanostructures are essential in the architecture of modern technology. However, their characterization remains challenging due to their hybrid nature. In this study, we present a novel photoreduction-based protocol for augmenting the inherent properties of imidazolium-containing ionic polymers (IIP)s through orthogonal functionalization with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to produce IIP_Au NPs, as well as novel and advanced characterization via three-dimensional correlation thermal field-flow fractionation (3DCoThFFF). Coordination chemistry is applied to anchor Au3+ onto the nitrogen atom of the imidazolium rings, for subsequent photoreduction to Au NPs using UV irradiation. Thermal field-flow fractionation (ThFFF) and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au NPs are both dependent on size, shape, and composition, thus synergistically co-opted herein to develop mutual correlation for the advanced analysis of 3D spectral data. With 3DCoThFFF, multiple sizes, shapes, compositions, and their respective distributions are synchronously correlated using time-resolved LSPR, as derived from multiple two-dimensional UV-vis spectra per unit ThFFF retention time. As such, higher resolutions and sensitivities are observed relative to those of regular ThFFF and batch UV-vis. In addition, 3DCoThFFF is shown to be highly suitable for monitoring and evaluating the thermostability and dynamics of the metallic nanostructures through the sequential correlation of UV-vis spectra measured under incremental ThFFF temperature gradients. Comparable sizes are measured for IIP and IIP_Au NPs. However, distinct elution profiles and UV-vis absorbances are recorded, thereby reaffirming the versatility of ThFFF as a robust tool for validating the successful functionalization of IIP with Au to produce IIP_Au NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Upenyu L Muza
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Center Macromolecular Structure Analysis, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lisa Ehrlich
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Institute Macromolecular Chemistry, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Doris Pospiech
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Institute Macromolecular Chemistry, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Albena Lederer
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Center Macromolecular Structure Analysis, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Stellenbosch University, Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, 7602 Matieland, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yu S, Tan Z, Lai Y, Li Q, Liu J. Nanoparticulate pollutants in the environment: Analytical methods, formation, and transformation. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2023; 2:61-73. [PMID: 38075291 PMCID: PMC10702925 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The wide application of nanomaterials and plastic products generates a substantial number of nanoparticulate pollutants in the environment. Nanoparticulate pollutants are quite different from their bulk counterparts because of their unique physicochemical properties, which may pose a threat to environmental organisms and human beings. To accurately predict the environmental risks of nanoparticulate pollutants, great efforts have been devoted to developing reliable methods to define their occurrence and track their fate and transformation in the environment. Herein, we summarized representative studies on the preconcentration, separation, formation, and transformation of nanoparticulate pollutants in environmental samples. Finally, some perspectives on future research directions are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiqiang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yujian Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qingcun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingfu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Siebers N, Kruse J, Jia Y, Lennartz B, Koch S. Loss of subsurface particulate and truly dissolved phosphorus during various flow conditions along a tile drain-ditch-brook continuum. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 866:161439. [PMID: 36623669 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Subsurface losses of colloidal and truly dissolved phosphorus (P) from arable land can cause ecological damage to surface water. To gain deeper knowledge about subsurface particulate P transport from inland sources to brooks, we studied an artificially drained lowland catchment (1550 ha) in north-eastern Germany. We took daily samples during the winter discharge period 2019/2020 at different locations, i.e., a drain outlet, ditch, and brook, and analyzed them for total P (TPunfiltered), particulate P >750 nm (TP>750 nm), colloidal P (TPcolloids), and truly dissolved P (truly DP) during baseflow conditions and high flow events. The majority of TPunfiltered in the tile drain, ditch, and brook was formed by TP>750 nm (54 to 59 %), followed by truly DP (34 to 38 %) and a small contribution of TPcolloids (5 to 6 %). During flow events, 63 to 66 % of TPunfiltered was present as particulate P (TP>750 nm + TPcolloids), whereas during baseflow the figure was 97 to 99 %; thus, truly DP was almost negligible (1 to 3 % of TPunfiltered) during baseflow. We also found that colloids transported in the water samples have their origin in the water-extractable nanocolloids (0.66 to 20 nm) within the C horizon, which are mainly composed of clay minerals. Along the flow path there is an agglomeration of P-bearing nanocolloids from the soil, with an increasing importance of iron(III) (hydr)oxides over clay particles. Event flow facilitated the transport of greater amounts of larger particles (>750 nm) through the soil matrix. However, the discharge did not exhaust colloid mobilization and colloidal P was exported through the tile-drainage system during the complete runoff period, even under baseflow conditions. Therefore, it is essential that the impact of rainfall intensity and pattern on particulate P discharge be considered more closely so that drainage management can be adjusted to achieve a reduced P export from agricultural land.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Siebers
- Institute of Bio and Geosciences-Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Jens Kruse
- Institute of Bio and Geosciences-Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany; Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), Soil Science and Soil Ecology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Yunsheng Jia
- Institute of Bio and Geosciences-Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Bernd Lennartz
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Stefan Koch
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6, D-18051 Rostock, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gopalakrishnan A, Bouby M, Schäfer AI. Membrane-organic solute interactions in asymmetric flow field flow fractionation: Interplay of hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158891. [PMID: 36411600 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The structure and size characterization of organic matter (OM) using flow field-flow fractionation (FFFF) is interesting due to the numerous interactions of OM in aquatic systems and water treatment processes. The estimation of hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces involved in the fractionation of OM over different molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membranes is vital for a better understanding of the FFFF process. This work aims to understand the membrane-OM interactive forces with respect to membrane MWCO, solute molecular weight, flow rates, solution pH and ionic strength. Polystyrene sulfonate sodium salt (PSS) of molecular weights 10, 30 and 65 kDa were used as model organic solutes for fractionation over ultrafiltration (UF) membranes of MWCO 1-30 kDa. Maximum fractionation of PSS was achieved by using a tight membrane of 1 kDa MWCO at the conditions of high permeate flow rate (1.5-2.0 mL·min-1), low concentrate flow rate (0.2-0.3 mL·min-1) and low ionic strength (10 mM). The better fractionation corresponds to high permeate drag force and low concentrate drag force. A low membrane-solute DLVO interaction is favourable for the retention of a small solute. This study illustrated that FFFF characteristics can be analyzed based on membrane-solute interactive forces controlled by selected flow, size and charge parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Gopalakrishnan
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Muriel Bouby
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal (INE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Andrea I Schäfer
- Institute for Advanced Membrane Technology (IAMT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hsieh YC, Lin YP, Hsiao TC, Hou WC. A two-dimensional nanoparticle characterization method combining differential mobility analyzer and single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with an atomizer-enabled sample introduction (ATM-DMA-spICP-MS): Toward the analysis of heteroaggregated nanoparticles in wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156444. [PMID: 35660613 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in complex environmental matrices remains a challenging task. This work presents a two-dimensional size analysis method by combining differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) with a new atomizer (ATM)-enabled sample introduction that is relatively easy to operate. The tailing of electrical mobility size distributions was solved by heating the aerosol flow, where water-shelled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were dehydrated, effectively eliminating the tailing. The improved method has a good sizing performance and can resolve the size fractions of mixed 30 nm and 50 nm AuNPs. It can reliably analyze 7.8 × 105 to 1.9 × 107 # of 50 nm AuNPs (or 4.1 × 105 to 107 # NPs/mL, equivalent to 0.6 to 14.3 μg Au/L) with a linear response and a limit of detection of 7.8 × 105 # AuNPs (equivalent to 4.1 × 105 # AuNPs/mL) that is relevant to NP concentrations in surface water and wastewater samples. The potential of this method to analyze environmental samples was demonstrated by characterizing AuNPs and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) spiked in wastewater, where both NPs were revealed to form heteroaggregates with colloids existing in wastewater. The method can even directly analyze nanosized Ag particles inherent in the wastewater before adding external AgNPs. The result indicates that ATM-DMA-spICP-MS is a relatively simple two-dimensional size analysis method that has a great potential to characterize heteroaggregated NPs in aqueous environmental samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chin Hsieh
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chih Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Che Hou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xiong Y, Zhang X, Hu L. A method for tracking the Brownian motion to estimate the size distribution of submicron particles in seawater. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY, METHODS 2022; 20:373-386. [PMID: 36246548 PMCID: PMC9543390 DOI: 10.1002/lom3.10494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Because the diffusivity of particles undergoing the Brownian motion is inversely proportional to their sizes, the size distribution of submicron particles can be estimated by tracking their movement. This particle tracking analysis (PTA) has been applied in various fields, but mainly focused on resolving monodispersed particle populations and is rarely used for measuring oceanic particles that are naturally polydispersed. We demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulation that, in principle, PTA can be used to size natural, oceanic particles. We conducted a series of lab experiments using microbeads of NIST-traceable sizes to evaluate the performance of ViewSizer 3000, a PTA-based commercial instrument, and found two major uncertainties: (1) the sample volume varies with the size of particles and (2) the signal-to-noise ratio for particles of sizes < 200-250 nm was reduced and hence their concentration was underestimated with the presence of larger particles. After applying the volume correction, we found the instrument can resolve oceanic submicron particles of sizes greater than 250 nm with a mean absolute error of 3.9% in size and 38% in concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanheng Xiong
- Department of Earth System Science and PolicyUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNorth DakotaUSA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Division of Marine ScienceSchool of Ocean Science and Engineering, The University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space CenterMississippiUSA
| | - Lianbo Hu
- Ocean Remote Sensing InstituteOcean University of ChinaQingdaoChina
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jiang C, Liu S, Zhang T, Liu Q, Alvarez PJJ, Chen W. Current Methods and Prospects for Analysis and Characterization of Nanomaterials in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7426-7447. [PMID: 35584364 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Analysis and characterization of naturally occurring and engineered nanomaterials in the environment are critical for understanding their environmental behaviors and defining real exposure scenarios for environmental risk assessment. However, this is challenging primarily due to the low concentration, structural heterogeneity, and dynamic transformation of nanomaterials in complex environmental matrices. In this critical review, we first summarize sample pretreatment methods developed for separation and preconcentration of nanomaterials from environmental samples, including natural waters, wastewater, soils, sediments, and biological media. Then, we review the state-of-the-art microscopic, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, electrochemical, and size-fractionation methods for determination of mass and number abundance, as well as the morphological, compositional, and structural properties of nanomaterials, with discussion on their advantages and limitations. Despite recent advances in detecting and characterizing nanomaterials in the environment, challenges remain to improve the analytical sensitivity and resolution and to expand the method applications. It is important to develop methods for simultaneous determination of multifaceted nanomaterial properties for in situ analysis and characterization of nanomaterials under dynamic environmental conditions and for detection of nanoscale contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., nanoplastics and biological nanoparticles), which will greatly facilitate the standardization of nanomaterial analysis and characterization methods for environmental samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjia Jiang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Songlin Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Caldwell J, Taladriz-Blanco P, Lehner R, Lubskyy A, Ortuso RD, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Petri-Fink A. The micro-, submicron-, and nanoplastic hunt: A review of detection methods for plastic particles. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133514. [PMID: 35016963 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic particle pollution has been shown to be almost completely ubiquitous within our surrounding environment. This ubiquity in combination with a variety of unique properties (e.g. density, hydrophobicity, surface functionalization, particle shape and size, transition temperatures, and mechanical properties) and the ever-increasing levels of plastic production and use has begun to garner heightened levels of interest within the scientific community. However, as a result of these properties, plastic particles are often reported to be challenging to study in complex (i.e. real) environments. Therefore, this review aims to summarize research generated on multiple facets of the micro- and nanoplastics field; ranging from size and shape definitions to detection and characterization techniques to generating reference particles; in order to provide a more complete understanding of the current strategies for the analysis of plastic particles. This information is then used to provide generalized recommendations for researchers to consider as they attempt to study plastics in analytically complex environments; including method validation using reference particles obtained via the presented creation methods, encouraging efforts towards method standardization through the reporting of all technical details utilized in a study, and providing analytical pathway recommendations depending upon the exact knowledge desired and samples being studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Caldwell
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Taladriz-Blanco
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland; Water Quality Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), A v. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Roman Lehner
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland; Sail & Explore Association, Kramgasse 18, 3011, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andriy Lubskyy
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Diego Ortuso
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ventouri IK, Loeber S, Somsen GW, Schoenmakers PJ, Astefanei A. Field-flow fractionation for molecular-interaction studies of labile and complex systems: A critical review. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1193:339396. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
19
|
A review of optical methods for ultrasensitive detection and characterization of nanoparticles in liquid media with a focus on the wide field surface plasmon microscopy. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1204:339633. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
20
|
Lungulescu EM, Setnescu R, Pătroi EA, Lungu MV, Pătroi D, Ion I, Fierăscu RC, Șomoghi R, Stan M, Nicula NO. High-Efficiency Biocidal Solution Based on Radiochemically Synthesized Cu-Au Alloy Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11123388. [PMID: 34947739 PMCID: PMC8705577 DOI: 10.3390/nano11123388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanotechnologies in the applied biomedical sciences can offer a new way to treat infections and disinfect surfaces, materials, and products contaminated with various types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Cu-Au nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by an eco-friendly method that allowed the obtaining in a one-step process of size controlled, well dispersed, fully reduced, highly stable NPs at very mild conditions, using high energy ionizing radiations. The gamma irradiation was performed in an aqueous system of Cu2+/Au3+/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)/Ethylene Glycol. After irradiation, the change of color to ruby-red was the first indicator for the formation of NPs. Moreover, the UV-Vis spectra showed a maximum absorption peak between 524 and 540 nm, depending on the copper amount. The Cu-Au NPs presented nearly spherical shapes, sizes between 20 and 90 nm, and a zeta potential of about −44 mV indicating a good electrostatic stability. The biocidal properties performed according to various standards applied in the medical area, in dirty conditions, showed a 5 lg reduction for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus hirae, a 5 lg reduction for both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses such as Adenovirus type 5, Murine Norovirus, and human Coronavirus 229E, and a 4 lg reduction for Candida albicans, respectively. Thus, the radiochemically synthesized Cu-Au alloy NPs proved to have high biocide efficiency against the tested bacteria, fungi, and viruses (both encapsulated and non-encapsulated). Therefore, these nanoparticle solutions are suitable to be used as disinfectants in the decontamination of hospital surfaces or public areas characterized by high levels of microbiological contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduard-Marius Lungulescu
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Radu Setnescu
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
- Department of Advanced Technologies, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Valahia University of Târgoviște, 13 Aleea Sinaia, 130004 Targoviste, Romania
| | - Eros A. Pătroi
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
| | - Magdalena V. Lungu
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
| | - Delia Pătroi
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
| | - Ioana Ion
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
| | - Radu-Claudiu Fierăscu
- National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry—ICECHIM Bucharest, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-C.F.); (R.Ș.)
| | - Raluca Șomoghi
- National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry—ICECHIM Bucharest, 202 Spl. Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-C.F.); (R.Ș.)
| | - Miruna Stan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest—ICUB, University of Bucharest, 050657 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicoleta-Oana Nicula
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania; (R.S.); (E.A.P.); (M.V.L.); (D.P.); (I.I.); (N.-O.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
New Analytical Approaches for Effective Quantification and Identification of Nanoplastics in Environmental Samples. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9112086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) are a rapidly developing subject that is relevant in environmental and food research, as well as in human toxicity, among other fields. NPs have recently been recognized as one of the least studied types of marine litter, but potentially one of the most hazardous. Several studies are now being reported on NPs in the environment including surface water and coast, snow, soil and in personal care products. However, the extent of contamination remains largely unknown due to fundamental challenges associated with isolation and analysis, and therefore, a methodological gap exists. This article summarizes the progress in environmental NPs analysis and makes a critical assessment of whether methods from nanoparticles analysis could be adopted to bridge the methodological gap. This review discussed the sample preparation and preconcentration protocol for NPs analysis and also examines the most appropriate approaches available at the moment, ranging from physical to chemical. This study also discusses the difficulties associated with improving existing methods and developing new ones. Although microscopical techniques are one of the most often used ways for imaging and thus quantification, they have the drawback of producing partial findings as they can be easily mixed up as biomolecules. At the moment, the combination of chemical analysis (i.e., spectroscopy) and newly developed alternative methods overcomes this limitation. In general, multiple analytical methods used in combination are likely to be needed to correctly detect and fully quantify NPs in environmental samples.
Collapse
|
22
|
Geißler F, Martínez-Cabanas M, Lodeiro P, Achterberg EP. Optimization of hyphenated asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation for the analysis of silver nanoparticles in aqueous solutions. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:6889-6904. [PMID: 34537865 PMCID: PMC8449749 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03647-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The extensive use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products, medicine, and industry leads to their release into the environment. Thus, a characterization of the concentration, size, fate, and toxicity of AgNPs under environmental conditions is required. In this study, we present the characterization and optimization of an asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) system coupled with UV/Vis spectrophotometer and dynamic light scattering (DLS) detector as a powerful tool for the size separation and multi-parameter characterization of AgNPs in complex matrices. The hyphenated AF4-UV/Vis-DLS system was first characterized using individual injections of the different size fractions. We used electrostatically stabilized AgNPs of 20-, 50-, and 80-nm nominal diameters coated with lipoic acid. We investigated the effect of applied cross-flows, carrier solutions, focus times, and quantity of injected particles on the nature of the AF4 fractograms and on the integrity of the AgNPs. Best size separation of a 1:1 mixture of 20- and 80-nm AgNPs was achieved using cross-flows of 0.5 and 0.7 mL/min with 1 mM NaCl and 0.05% v/v Mucasol as carrier solutions. We also researched the behavior of AgNPs in natural waters using the hyphenated AF4-UV/Vis-DLS system, under determined optimal conditions. Schematic and photograph of the AF4 setup with numbered hardware devices. Dashed lines represent electrical connections; continuous lines represent fluidic connections. For a better overview, not all fluidic connections between pump/6-way valve (2) and the Eclipse AF4 device (3) are shown in the schematic. The fluorescence detector (FL (7)) was not used in the study presented herein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Geißler
- Chemical Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - María Martínez-Cabanas
- Chemical Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Pablo Lodeiro
- Chemical Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Lleida - AGROTECNIO-CERCA Center, Rovira Roure 191, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Eric P Achterberg
- Chemical Oceanography, Marine Biogeochemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Biagioni V, Sow AL, Fagiolo AG, Adrover A, Cerbelli S. Brownian sieving enhancement of microcapillary hydrodynamic chromatography. Analysis of the separation performance based on Brenner's macro-transport theory. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1659:462652. [PMID: 34742132 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In a recent article [Analytical Chemistry, 93(17), 6808-6816 (2021)], an unconventional device configuration enforcing a Brownian sieving mechanism was proposed as proof of concept for the efficient implementation of microcapillary hydrodynamic chromatography (MHDC). In this article, we perform a thorough analysis of the device geometry and of operating conditions, in order to single out the optimal configuration maximizing separation resolution. Brenner's macro-transport theory provides the technical picklock to perform the search for the optimum over a wide choice of device geometries and for a range of values of the particle Péclet number covering most conditions encountered in practical implementations of MHDC. Specifically, effective transport coefficients defining the dynamics of the suspended phase are obtained by the solution of a two-dimensional steady-state advection-diffusion equation defined onto the channel cross-section. The eigenvalue/eigenfunction structure of the associated transient problem is exploited in order to quantify the timescale for reaching the macro-transport regime conditions. Based on this timescale and on the effective transport parameters, an estimate of the column length necessary to achieve a prescribed level of separation resolution is obtained. We identify device geometry and operating conditions where the capillary length is shrunk down by a factor above ten compared to the standard MHDC configuration. Lagrangian stochastic statistics of particle ensembles are used to validate the results obtained through Brenner's macro-transport approach. The method proposed can be readily generalized to other classes of device geometries enforcing the same Brownian sieving mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Biagioni
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18 - 00184 Roma (Italy)
| | - Alpha L Sow
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18 - 00184 Roma (Italy)
| | - Antonio G Fagiolo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18 - 00184 Roma (Italy)
| | - Alessandra Adrover
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18 - 00184 Roma (Italy).
| | - Stefano Cerbelli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18 - 00184 Roma (Italy)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Shakiba S, Astete CE, Cueto R, Rodrigues DF, Sabliov CM, Louie SM. Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with fluorescence and multi-detector analysis for direct, real-time, size-resolved measurements of drug release from polymeric nanoparticles. J Control Release 2021; 338:410-421. [PMID: 34453956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are typically designed to enhance the efficiency of drug delivery by controlling the drug release rate. Hence, it is critical to obtain an accurate drug release profile. This study presents the first application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with fluorescence detection (FLD) to quantify release profiles of fluorescent drugs from polymeric NPs, specifically poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) NPs loaded with enrofloxacin (PLGA-Enro NPs). In contrast to conventional measurements requiring separation of the NPs and dissolved drugs (typically by dialysis) prior to quantification, AF4 provides in situ removal of unincorporated drugs, while the judicious combination of online FLD and UV detection selectively provides the entrapped drug and PLGA NP concentrations, respectively, and hence the drug loading. NP size and shape factors are simultaneously obtained by online dynamic and multi-angle light scattering (DLS, MALS) detectors. The AF4 and dialysis approaches were compared to evaluate drug release from PLGA-Enro NPs containing a high proportion (≈ 94%) of unincorporated (burst release) drug at three temperatures spanning the glass transition temperature (Tg ≈ 33 °C) of the NPs. The AF4 method clearly captured the temperature dependence of the drug release relative to Tg (from no release at 20 °C to rapid release at 37 °C). In contrast, dialysis was not able to distinguish differences in the extent or rate of release of the entrapped drug because of interferences from the burst release, as well as the dialysis lag time, as supported through a diffusion model and validation experiments on purified NPs with low burst release. Finally, the multi-detector AF4 analysis yielded unique size-dependent release profiles across the entire NP size distribution, with smaller NPs showing faster release consistent with radial diffusion from the NPs. Overall, this study demonstrates the novel application and advantages of multi-detector AF4 methods, particularly AF4-FLD, to obtain direct, size-resolved release profiles of fluorescent drugs from polymeric NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheyda Shakiba
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, United States
| | - Carlos E Astete
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Rafael Cueto
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Debora F Rodrigues
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, United States
| | - Cristina M Sabliov
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
| | - Stacey M Louie
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Eskelin K, Oksanen HM, Poranen MM. Sample carryover and cleaning procedures for asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation instrument. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1181:122920. [PMID: 34536834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Asymmetrical flow field-flow (AF4) fractionation aims in separation of sample components to yield elution of homogenous fractions identified as well-defined peaks in the chromatograms. Separation that occurs in matrix-free open channel potentiates high recovery that can be close to 100%. However, sample properties and separation conditions may induce carryover of sample components during AF4 analysis and in sample sequences. This compromises the quality of the data collected from the online detectors and the downstream offline analytics of the collected fractions. In this study, we followed sample carryover in AF4 using model viruses and analyzed various cleaning solutions and rinse methods to reduce carryover. We introduce an SDS-NaOH -based rinsing and decontamination protocol for the AF4 instrument enabling high-quality data collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Eskelin
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikinkaari 9, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - H M Oksanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikinkaari 9, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - M M Poranen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikinkaari 9, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Plavchak CL, Smith WC, Bria CRM, Williams SKR. New Advances and Applications in Field-Flow Fractionation. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2021; 14:257-279. [PMID: 33770457 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-091520-052742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a family of techniques that was created especially for separating and characterizing macromolecules, nanoparticles, and micrometer-sized analytes. It is coming of age as new nanomaterials, polymers, composites, and biohybrids with remarkable properties are introduced and new analytical challenges arise due to synthesis heterogeneities and the motivation to correlate analyte properties with observed performance. Appreciation of the complexity of biological, pharmaceutical, and food systems and the need to monitor multiple components across many size scales have also contributed to FFF's growth. This review highlights recent advances in FFF capabilities, instrumentation, and applications that feature the unique characteristics of different FFF techniques in determining a variety of information, such as averages and distributions in size, composition, shape, architecture, and microstructure and in investigating transformations and function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Plavchak
- Laboratory for Advanced Separation Technologies, Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA;
| | - William C Smith
- Laboratory for Advanced Separation Technologies, Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA;
| | | | - S Kim Ratanathanawongs Williams
- Laboratory for Advanced Separation Technologies, Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Gigault J, El Hadri H, Nguyen B, Grassl B, Rowenczyk L, Tufenkji N, Feng S, Wiesner M. Nanoplastics are neither microplastics nor engineered nanoparticles. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 16:501-507. [PMID: 33927364 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-021-00886-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concern and research on the subject of plastic pollution has engaged the community of scientists working on the environmental health and safety of nanomaterials. While many of the methods developed in nano environment, health and safety work have general applicability to the study of particulate plastics, the nanometric size range has important consequences for both the analytical challenges of studying nanoscale plastics and the environmental implications of these incidental nanomaterials. Related to their size, nanoplastics are distinguished from microplastics with respect to their transport properties, interactions with light and natural colloids, a high fraction of particle molecules on the surface, bioavailability and diffusion times for the release of plastic additives. Moreover, they are distinguished from engineered nanomaterials because of their high particle heterogeneity and their potential for rapid further fragmentation in the environment. These characteristics impact environmental fate, potential effects on biota and human health, sampling and analysis. Like microplastics, incidentally produced nanoplastics exhibit a diversity of compositions and morphologies and a heterogeneity that is typically absent from engineered nanomaterials. Therefore, nanoscale plastics must be considered as distinct from both microplastics and engineered nanomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Gigault
- TAKUVIK, IRL3376 CNRS/Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Hind El Hadri
- E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Pau, France
| | - Brian Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bruno Grassl
- E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Pau, France
| | - Laura Rowenczyk
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Tufenkji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Siyuan Feng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mark Wiesner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Biagioni V, Sow AL, Adrover A, Cerbelli S. Brownian Sieving Effect for Boosting the Performance of Microcapillary Hydrodynamic Chromatography. Proof of Concept. Anal Chem 2021; 93:6808-6816. [PMID: 33890769 PMCID: PMC8253478 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Microcapillary hydrodynamic chromatography (MHDC) is a well-established technique for the size-based separation of suspensions and colloids, where the characteristic size of the dispersed phase ranges from tens of nanometers to micrometers. It is based on hindrance effects which prevent relatively large particles from experiencing the low velocity region near the walls of a pressure-driven laminar flow through an empty microchannel. An improved device design is here proposed, where the relative extent of the low velocity region is made tunable by exploiting a two-channel annular geometry. The geometry is designed so that the core and the annular channel are characterized by different average flow velocities when subject to one and the same pressure drop. The channels communicate through openings of assigned cut-off length, say A. As they move downstream the channel, particles of size bigger than A are confined to the core region, whereas smaller particles can diffuse through the openings and spread throughout the entire cross section, therein attaining a spatially uniform distribution. By using a classical excluded-volume approach for modeling particle transport, we perform Lagrangian-stochastic simulations of particle dynamics and compare the separation performance of the two-channel and the standard (single-channel) MHDC. Results suggest that a quantitative (up to thirtyfold) performance enhancement can be obtained at operating conditions and values of the transport parameters commonly encountered in practical implementations of MHDC. The separation principle can readily be extended to a multistage geometry when the efficient fractionation of an arbitrary size distribution of the suspension is sought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Biagioni
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, Italy
| | - Alpha L Sow
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, Italy
| | - Alessandra Adrover
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, Italy
| | - Stefano Cerbelli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica Materiali Ambiente, Sapienza Università di Roma, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Quattrini F, Berrecoso G, Crecente-Campo J, Alonso MJ. Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation as a multifunctional technique for the characterization of polymeric nanocarriers. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:373-395. [PMID: 33521866 PMCID: PMC7987708 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-00918-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The importance of polymeric nanocarriers in the field of drug delivery is ever-increasing, and the accurate characterization of their properties is paramount to understand and predict their behavior. Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is a fractionation technique that has gained considerable attention for its gentle separation conditions, broad working range, and versatility. AF4 can be hyphenated to a plurality of concentration and size detectors, thus permitting the analysis of the multifunctionality of nanomaterials. Despite this potential, the practical information that can be retrieved by AF4 and its possible applications are still rather unfamiliar to the pharmaceutical scientist. This review was conceived as a primer that clearly states the "do's and don'ts" about AF4 applied to the characterization of polymeric nanocarriers. Aside from size characterization, AF4 can be beneficial during formulation optimization, for drug loading and drug release determination and for the study of interactions among biomaterials. It will focus mainly on the advances made in the last 5 years, as well as indicating the problematics on the consensus, which have not been reached yet. Methodological recommendations for several case studies will be also included.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Quattrini
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases, Singular Research Centers, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Germán Berrecoso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases, Singular Research Centers, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), IDIS Research Institute, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Crecente-Campo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases, Singular Research Centers, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), IDIS Research Institute, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - María José Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases, Singular Research Centers, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), IDIS Research Institute, 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mehrabi K, Kaegi R, Günther D, Gundlach-Graham A. Emerging investigator series: automated single-nanoparticle quantification and classification: a holistic study of particles into and out of wastewater treatment plants in Switzerland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. NANO 2021; 8:1211-1225. [PMID: 34046179 PMCID: PMC8136323 DOI: 10.1039/d0en01066a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Single particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-TOFMS), in combination with online microdroplet calibration, allows for the determination of particle number concentrations (PNCs) and the amount (i.e. mass) of ICP-MS-accessible elements in individual particles. Because sp-ICP-TOFMS analyses of environmental samples produce rich datasets composed of both single-metal nanoparticles (smNPs) and many types of multi-metal NPs (mmNPs), interpretation of these data is well suited to automated analysis schemes. Here, we present a new data analysis approach that includes: 1. automatic particle detection and elemental mass determinations based on online microdroplet calibration, 2. correction of false (randomly occurring) multi-metal associations caused by measurement of coincident but distinct NPs, and 3. unsupervised clustering analysis of mmNPs to identify unique classes of NPs based on their element compositions. To demonstrate the potential of our approach, we analyzed water samples collected from the influent and effluent of five wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Switzerland. We determined elemental masses in individual NPs, as well as PNCs, to estimate the NP removal efficiencies of the individual WWTPs. From WWTP samples collected at two points in time, we found an average of 90% and 94% removal efficiencies of single-metal and multi-metal NPs, respectively. Between 5% to 27% of detected NPs were multi-metal; the most abundant particle types were those rich in Ce-La, Fe-Al, Ti-Zr, and Zn-Cu. Through hierarchical clustering, we identified NP classes conserved across all WWTPs, as well as particle types that are unique to one or a few WWTPs. These uniquely occurring particle types may represent point sources of anthropogenic NPs. We describe the utility of clustering analysis of mmNPs for identifying natural, geogenic NPs, and also for the discovery of new, potentially anthropogenic, NP targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Mehrabi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ralf Kaegi
- Department of Process Engineering, Eawag Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Detlef Günther
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Viktor Z, Pasch H. Variable temperature asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation for the topology separation of poly(methyl methacrylate). Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1144:150-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
32
|
Sánchez-Cachero A, López-Sanz S, Fariñas NR, Ríos Á, Martín-Doimeadios RDCR. A method based on asymmetric flow field flow fractionation hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the monitoring of platinum nanoparticles in water samples. Talanta 2021; 222:121513. [PMID: 33167224 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An analytical methodology based on asymmetric flow field flow fractionation hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (AF4-ICP-MS) has been developed for monitoring citrate coated platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) of different sizes (5, 30, and 50 nm) in water samples. Several factors have been optimized, such as carrier composition, AF4 separation program, focusing step or cross flow values. Under the optimum conditions, PtNPs can be fractionated in about 30 min in a single run with quantitative recoveries of the membrane (100 ± 7%, n = 5). The optimized method has been successfully applied to study transformations, not only in size but also surface modifications, of PtNPs in synthetic and natural water samples over time. The effect of organic matter was specifically studied, and it was found to be a critical parameter. The analytical strategy followed in this work can be very useful to develop further environmental studies involving PtNPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Armando Sánchez-Cachero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Environmental Sciences Institute (ICAM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Sara López-Sanz
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Environmental Sciences Institute (ICAM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Nuria Rodríguez Fariñas
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Environmental Sciences Institute (ICAM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Ángel Ríos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Camilo José Cela s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rosa Del Carmen Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Environmental Sciences Institute (ICAM), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Carlos III s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang Y, Yang C, Nie Y, Li Y, Tian X. Reinjection flow field-flow fractionation method for nanoparticle quantitative analysis in unknown and complex samples. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1638:461897. [PMID: 33485028 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.461897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An analytical challenge that arises in environmental and food analysis is to quantify heterogeneous nanoparticles especially in polydisperse and complex samples. The method stated herein based on the reinjection asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4 × AF4) coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and statistical deconvolution allowed for identifying the molecular weight (Mw) and selenium abundance of the low Mw protein fractions (ca. < 132 kDa) in an unknown and complex sample (e.g., selenium-rich soybean protein isolates (Se-SPI)). A non-linear decay crossflow program was also developed to get better resolution and shorter elution time for both low and high Mw components. The concept of the reinjection method was based on the excellent ability for reducing sample complexity regarding the size fractionation, and peak reproducibility under the identical conditions of AF4 system. The standard protein mixture was used as a proof-of-principle sample. The results showed the underlying peaks predicted by the reinjection method were agreed with the separation result using the standard mixture (the relative standard deviation of peak locations < 1%), which indicated the reinjection method could provide an accurate assessment of the underlying peak number and location, and was promising to minimize the overfitting problem for statistic deconvolution. Interestingly, significant differences of Se abundance in protein fractions were observed in the low Mw range for Se-SPI, ranging from 0.28 to 1.66 cps/V with the Mw ranging from 13.75 kDa to 104.17 kDa, which indicated significant differences in the ability of binding Se for these selenium-rich proteins in Se-SPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Chao Yang
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Yulun Nie
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Yong Li
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Xike Tian
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Nickel C, Scherer C, Noskov S, Bantz C, Berger M, Schupp W, Maskos M. Observation of interaction forces by investigation of the influence of eluent additives on the retention behavior of aqueous nanoparticle dispersions in asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1637:461840. [PMID: 33412293 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The investigation and subsequent understanding of the interactions of nanomaterials with components of their surrounding media is important to be able to evaluate both potential use cases as well as potential risks for human health and for the environment. To investigate such interactions, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is an interesting analytical tool. This statement grounds on the fact that interactions of the analyte with the membrane and with components of the eluent are crucial for the retention behavior of the analyte within the field-flow fractionation (FFF) channel. Therefore, the investigation of the retention behavior provides an insight in the nature of the interactions between analyte, membrane and eluent. Within this publication, the influence of the composition of the eluent on the retention behavior of aqueous dispersions of two model analytes is investigated. Eluents with different types of salts and surfactants and eluents with different salt concentrations were prepared and the influence of the composition of these eluents on the retention behavior of polystyrene and polyorganosiloxane particles was compared. Three main trends were observed: Elution times increase with increasing electrolyte concentration; when comparing different electrolyte anions, the retention time increases the more kosmotropic the anion is; when comparing different electrolyte cations, the retention order depends on the surfactant. Additional dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were conducted to verify that the differences in retention times are not caused by actual differences in particle size. Instead, the differences in elution time can be correlated with the concentration and with the chao-/kosmotropicity of the added electrolyte ions. Therefore, AF4 proves to be sensitive to subtile changes of interaction forces on the level of Coulomb and van der Waals forces. The experimentally gathered elution times were used to develop a model describing the retention behavior, based on an enhanced version of the standard AF4 model: By introducing particle-medium-membrane interactions in the standard AF4 model via the respective Hamaker constants, the calculation of retention times was possible. The congruence of the calculated with the experimental retention times confirmed the validity of the simulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conrad Nickel
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany.
| | - Christian Scherer
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Sergey Noskov
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Christoph Bantz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Str. 18-20, Mainz 55129, Germany
| | - Martin Berger
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schupp
- Consenxus GmbH, Binger Str. 17, Ober-Hilbersheim 55437, Germany
| | - Michael Maskos
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Department of Chemistry, Duesbergweg 10-14, Mainz 55128, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Str. 18-20, Mainz 55129, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Alasonati E, Caebergs T, Pétry J, Sebaïhi N, Fisicaro P, Feltin N. Size measurement of silica nanoparticles by Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation coupled to Multi-Angle Light Scattering: A comparison exercise between two metrological institutes. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1638:461859. [PMID: 33465582 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this work we present a comparison exercise between two metrological institutes for size measurement of silica nanoparticles by Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) coupled to static light scattering. The work has been performed in the frame of a French inter-laboratory comparison (ILC) exercise organized by the nanoMetrology Club (CnM). The general aim of this multi-technique comparison was to improve the measurement process for each technique, after establishing a well-defined measurement procedure. The results obtained by two national metrological institutes (NMIs), the LNE (France) and the SMD (Belgium) by AF4-UV-DRI-MALS will be presented and discussed. Three different samples were characterized: the reference material ERM®-FD304, which is a suspension of colloidal silica in aqueous solution and two silica bimodal samples consisting of two populations of SiO2 nanoparticles of unknown size in aqueous solution, with different populations' ratios. The procedure for the preparation of the sample before the analysis, and main separation parameters have been previously defined between the two institutes and will be described. The principals measured parameters were the weight-average (dge_w), number-average (dge_n) and z-average (dge_z) geometric diameter; the average hydrodynamic diameter (dh); and the diameter obtained by external calibration using polystyrene latex standards (dcal). Results between the two NMIs were comparable and coherent with the expected size values of those obtained by other techniques like Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) also involved in this ILC exercise. Where discrepancies are observed, they leave the results compatible within their uncertainties and underpin the challenges in analysing data and reporting results, making AF4 a powerful tool to compare to other measurement techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Alasonati
- Department of Biomedical and Inorganic Chemistry, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75015 Paris, France; LNE Nanotech Institut, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 29 av. Roger Hennequin, 78197 Trappes, France.
| | - Thierry Caebergs
- FPS Economy, DG Quality and Safety, Metrology Division (SMD), Bvd du Roi Albert II, 16 - 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jasmine Pétry
- FPS Economy, DG Quality and Safety, Metrology Division (SMD), Bvd du Roi Albert II, 16 - 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Noham Sebaïhi
- FPS Economy, DG Quality and Safety, Metrology Division (SMD), Bvd du Roi Albert II, 16 - 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Paola Fisicaro
- Department of Biomedical and Inorganic Chemistry, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 1 rue Gaston Boissier, 75015 Paris, France; LNE Nanotech Institut, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 29 av. Roger Hennequin, 78197 Trappes, France.
| | - Nicolas Feltin
- LNE Nanotech Institut, Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais (LNE), 29 av. Roger Hennequin, 78197 Trappes, France.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Silver and gold nanoparticles characterization by SP-ICP-MS and AF4-FFF-MALS-UV-ICP-MS in human samples used for biomonitoring. Talanta 2020; 220:121404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
37
|
Ojeda D, Sánchez P, Bolea E, Laborda F, Castillo JR. How the use of a short channel can improve the separation efficiency of nanoparticles in asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1635:461759. [PMID: 33278672 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of a commercially available short length channel (14 cm length) is proposed to improve the efficiency associated to the separation by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation of particles in the nanometer range respect to a standard channel (27 cm length). The effect of channel length on elution times, separation efficiency and resolution have been studied. Polystyrene particles between 50 and 500 nm in size have been used to compare the behavior of both channels. Theoretical aspects based on the different contributions on particle diffusion inside the channel during the separation process have been considered to justify the results obtained. Non-equilibrium diffusion contribution to the efficiency has shown to be the most relevant aspect to be controlled during the separation. The increment of the field strength applied through the cross-flow velocityallows the reduction of diffusion while keep elution times constant. The use of the same cross-flow in a channel with a smaller area is the key factor that justifies the better efficiencies observed along the whole size range studied (improvements that reach factors up to 4.7 in experimental efficiency respect to the standard channel were achieved). The separation of polystyrene particles of 100 and 200 nm was achieved with a resolution of 1.20, whereas a 0.66 value was obtained with the standard channel at the same elution times. Channel recoveries have been also compared under optimized conditions to ensure that no side effects are produced, including the separation of mixtures of TiO2 nanoparticles. Similar or even better values were obtained with the short length channel, with recoveries higher than 85% for all the polystyrene particles tested and 75% recovery for the TiO2 nanoparticle mixture, which justifies its use for the separation of nanoparticles, providing better resolutions without compromise elution times or recoveries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Ojeda
- Group of Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors (GEAS), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna, 12., 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pablo Sánchez
- Group of Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors (GEAS), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna, 12., 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eduardo Bolea
- Group of Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors (GEAS), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna, 12., 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Francisco Laborda
- Group of Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors (GEAS), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna, 12., 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan R Castillo
- Group of Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors (GEAS), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna, 12., 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen X, Zhang W, Dou Y, Song T, Shen S, Dou H. Applications of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation for separation and characterization of polysaccharides: A review. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1635:461726. [PMID: 33250160 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Polysaccharides are the most abundant natural biopolymers on the earth and are widely used in food, medicine, materials, cosmetics, and other fields. The physicochemical properties of polysaccharides such as particle size and molecular weight often affect their practical applications. In recent years, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) has been widely used in the separation and characterization of polysaccharides because it has no stationary phases or packing materials, which reduces the risk of shear degradation of polysaccharides. In this review, the principle of AF4 was introduced briefly. The operation conditions of AF4 for the analysis of polysaccharides were discussed. The applications of AF4 for the separation and characterization of polysaccharides from different sources (plants, animals, and microorganisms) over the last decade were critically reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-Autoimmune Disease of Hebei Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yuwei Dou
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-Autoimmune Disease of Hebei Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Tiange Song
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Shigang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Analytical Science and Technology of Hebei Province, College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Haiyang Dou
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis Mechanism and Control of Inflammatory-Autoimmune Disease of Hebei Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Shehab ZN, Jamil NR, Aris AZ. Modelling the fate and transport of colloidal particles in association with BPA in river water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 274:111141. [PMID: 32818827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A simplified modelling approach for illustrating the fate of emerging pollutants can improve risk assessment of these chemicals. Once released into aquatic environments, these pollutants will interact with various substances including suspended particles, colloidal or nano particles, which will greatly influence their distribution and ultimate fate. Understanding these interactions in aquatic environments continues to be an important issue because of their possible risk. In this study, bisphenol A (BPA) in the water column of Bentong River, Malaysia, was investigated in both its soluble and colloidal phase. A spatially explicit hydrological model was established to illustrate the associated dispersion processes of colloidal-bound BPA. Modelling results demonstrated the significance of spatial detail in predicting hot spots or peak concentrations of colloidal-bound BPA in the sediment and water columns as well. The magnitude and setting of such spots were system based and depended mainly on flow conditions. The results highlighted the effects of colloidal particles' concentration and density on BPA's removal from the water column. It also demonstrated the tendency of colloidal particles to aggregate and the impact all these processes had on BPA's transport potential and fate in a river water. All scenarios showed that after 7.5-10 km mark BPA's concentration started to reach a steady state with very low concentrations which indicated that a downstream transport of colloidal-bound BPA was less likely due to minute BPA levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zakariya Nafi' Shehab
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nor Rohaizah Jamil
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Ahmad Zaharin Aris
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wang Y, Cuss C, Shotyk W. Application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation to the study of aquatic systems: Coupled methods, challenges, and future needs. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1632:461600. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
41
|
Soil Pollution from Micro- and Nanoplastic Debris: A Hidden and Unknown Biohazard. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12187255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The fate, properties and determination of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soil are poorly known. In fact, most of the 300 million tons of plastics produced each year ends up in the environment and the soil acts as a log-term sink for these plastic debris. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss MP and NP pollution in soil as well as highlighting the knowledge gaps that are mainly related to the complexity of the soil ecosystem. The fate of MPs and NPs in soil is strongly determined by physical properties of plastics, whereas negligible effect is exerted by their chemical structures. The degradative processes of plastic, termed ageing, besides generating micro-and nano-size debris, can induce marked changes in their chemical and physical properties with relevant effects on their reactivity. Further, these processes could cause the release of toxic oligomeric and monomeric constituents from plastics, as well as toxic additives, which may enter in the food chain, representing a possible hazard to human health and potentially affecting the fauna and flora in the environment. In relation to their persistence in soil, the list of soil-inhabiting, plastic-eating bacteria, fungi and insect is increasing daily. One of the main ecological functions attributable to MPs is related to their function as vectors for microorganisms through the soil. However, the main ecological effect of NPs (limited to the fraction size < than 50 nm) is their capacity to pass through the membrane of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Soil biota, particularly earthworms and collembola, can be both MPs and NPs carriers through soil profile. The use of molecular techniques, especially omics approaches, can gain insights into the effects of MPs and NPs on composition and activity of microbial communities inhabiting the soil and into those living on MPs surface and in the gut of the soil plastic-ingesting fauna.
Collapse
|
42
|
Park J, Ham S, Kim S, Jang M, Lee J, Kim S, Park D, Lee K, Kim H, Kim P, Yoon C. Physicochemical characteristics of colloidal nanomaterial suspensions and aerosolized particulates from nano-enabled consumer spray products. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:925-941. [PMID: 32201992 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Physicochemical properties between colloidal engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and aerosols released from consumer spray products were characterized. A dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) were used to evaluate the suspended ENMs in the products. Direct-reading instruments, TEM, and ICP-MS were used to characterize the properties of aerosolized ENMs. The aerosolized organic compounds with ENMs were assumed to be vaporized for a short time after spraying. The median diameter of ENMs in product solutions measured by DLS was about 200-350 nm, while individual particle was confirmed from 3 to 50 nm by TEM. The size of aerosolized ENMs was ranged from 7 to 44 nm, and their aggregates were about 100-1000 nm in near distance. Some inorganic substances including raw nanomaterials were also found in the aerosol. The particles released from the propellant sprays were identified in far distance, while they were not found in far distance when pump sprays were used. The number concentration from the propellant sprays increased up to 6000 particles/cm3 /g at near distance and dispersed to far distance, while the most of droplets emitted from pump sprays were settled down near sprayer's location. We found other metals besides labeled ENMs are included in each product and the characteristics of the particles are different when they are sprayed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Park
- Environmental Safety Group, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghon Ham
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunju Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miyeon Jang
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinho Lee
- Northern Seoul Regional Office, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donguk Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiyoung Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunmi Kim
- Risk Assessment Division, Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Pilje Kim
- Risk Assessment Division, Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chungsik Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wu B, Chen X, Wang J, Qing X, Wang Z, Ding X, Xie Z, Niu L, Guo X, Cai T, Guo X, Yang F. Separation and characterization of extracellular vesicles from human plasma by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1127:234-245. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.06.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
44
|
Characterisation of the Interaction among Oil-In-Water Nanocapsules and Mucin. Biomimetics (Basel) 2020; 5:biomimetics5030036. [PMID: 32731584 PMCID: PMC7559021 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics5030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucins are glycoproteins present in all mucosal surfaces and in secretions such as saliva. Mucins are involved in the mucoadhesion of nanodevices carrying bioactive molecules to their target sites in vivo. Oil-in-water nanocapsules (NCs) have been synthesised for carrying N,N'-(di-m-methylphenyl)urea (DMTU), a quorum-sensing inhibitor, to the oral cavity. DMTU-loaded NCs constitute an alternative for the treatment of plaque (bacterial biofilm). In this work, the stability of the NCs after their interaction with mucin is analysed. Mucin type III from Sigma-Aldrich has been used as the mucin model. Mucin and NCs were characterised by the multi-detection asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation technique (AF4). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ζ-potential analyses were carried out to characterise the interaction between mucin and NCs. According to the results, loading DMTU changes the conformation of the NC. It was also found that the synergistic interaction between mucin and NCs was favoured within a specific range of the mucin:NC ratio within the first 24 h. Studies on the release of DMTU in vitro and the microbial activity of such NCs are ongoing in our lab.
Collapse
|
45
|
Gottselig N, Sohrt J, Uhlig D, Nischwitz V, Weiler M, Amelung W. Groundwater controls on colloidal transport in forest stream waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:134638. [PMID: 31837854 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biogeochemical changes of whole catchments may, at least in part, be deduced from changes in stream water composition. We hypothesized that there are seasonal variations of natural nanoparticles (NNP; 1-100 nm) and fine colloids (<300 nm) in stream water, which differ in origin depending on catchment inflow parameters. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the annual dynamics of the elemental composition of NNP and fine colloids in multiple water compartments, namely in stream water, above and below canopy precipitation, groundwater and lateral subsurface flow from the Conventwald catchment, Germany. In doing so, we monitored meteorological and hydrological parameters, total element loads, and analyzed element concentrations of org C, Al, Si, P, Ca, Mn and Fe by Asymmetric Flow Field Flow Fractionation (AF4). The results showed that colloid element concentrations were < 5 µmol/L. Up to an average of 55% (Fe) of total element concentrations were not truly dissolved but bound to NNP and fine colloids. The colloid patterns showed seasonal variability with highest loads in winter. The presence of groundwater-derived colloidal Ca in stream water showed that groundwater mainly fed the streams throughout the whole year. Overall, the results showed that different water compartments vary in the NNP and fine colloidal composition making them a suitable tool to identify the streams NNP and fine colloid sources. Given the completeness of the dataset with respect to NNP and fine colloids in multiple water compartments of a single forest watershed this study adds to the hitherto underexplored role of NNP and fine colloids in natural forest watersheds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Gottselig
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Soil Science and Soil Ecology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany.
| | - J Sohrt
- Chair of Hydrology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Friedrichstraße 39, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
| | - D Uhlig
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Earth Surface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-3: Agrosphere, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - V Nischwitz
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics and Analytics (ZEA-3), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - M Weiler
- Chair of Hydrology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Friedrichstraße 39, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
| | - W Amelung
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Soil Science and Soil Ecology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany; Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-3: Agrosphere, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gericke M, Schulze P, Heinze T. Nanoparticles Based on Hydrophobic Polysaccharide Derivatives-Formation Principles, Characterization Techniques, and Biomedical Applications. Macromol Biosci 2020; 20:e1900415. [PMID: 32090505 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201900415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Polysaccharide (PS) nanoparticles (NP) are fascinating materials that combine huge application potential with the unique beneficial features of natural biopolymers. Different types of PS-NP can be distinguished depending on the basic preparation principles (top-down vs bottom-up vs coating of nanomaterials) and the material from which they are obtained (native PS vs chemically modified PS derivatives vs nanocomposites). This review provides a comprehensive overview of an approach towards PS-NP that has gained rapidly increasing interest within the last decade; the nanoself-assembling of hydrophobic PS derivatives. This facile process is easy to perform and offers a broad structural diversity in terms of the PS backbone and the additional functionalities that can be introduced. Fundamental principles of different NP preparation techniques along with useful characterization methods are presented in this work. A comprehensive summary of PS-NP prepared by different techniques and with various PS backbones and types/amounts of hydrophobic substituents is given. The intention is to demonstrate how different parameters determine the size, size distribution, and zeta-potential of the particles. Moreover, application trends in biomedical areas are highlighted in which tailored functional PS-NP are evaluated and constantly developed further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gericke
- Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, D-07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Schulze
- Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, D-07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Heinze
- Centre of Excellence for Polysaccharide Research, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, D-07743, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lin H, Guo L. Variations in Colloidal DOM Composition with Molecular Weight within Individual Water Samples as Characterized by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation and EEM-PARAFAC Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1657-1667. [PMID: 31894973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence excitation emission matrices (EEM) and parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis have been widely used in the characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the aquatic continuum. However, large sample sets are typically needed for establishing a meaningful EEM-PARAFAC model. Applications of the EEM-PARAFAC technique to individual samples require new approaches. Here, flow field-flow fractionation (FlFFF) combined with offline EEM measurements and PARAFAC analysis was used to elucidate the dynamic changes in DOM composition/optical properties with molecular weight within individual samples. FlFFF-derived size spectra of ultrafiltration-isolated colloidal DOM show that peak-C related fluorophores (Ex/Em= 350/450 nm) are present mostly in the 1-3 kDa size range, while peak-T associated fluorophores (Ex/Em = 275/340 nm) have a bimodal distribution with peaks in both the 1-3 kDa and the >100 kDa size fractions. The integrated EEM spectra from FlFFF size-fractionated subsamples closely resembled the bulk EEM spectra, attesting to the convincing comparability between bulk and FlFFF size-fractionated EEMs. The PARAFAC-derived DOM components are distinctive among individual samples with the predominant components being humic-like in river water, but protein-like in a highly eutrophic lagoon sample. This compelling new approach combining FlFFF and EEM-PARAFAC can be used to decipher the dynamic changes in size spectra and composition of individual DOM samples from sources to sinks or across the redox/hydrological/trophic interfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lin
- School of Freshwater Sciences , University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , 600 E Greenfield Ave. , Milwaukee , Wisconsin 53204 , United States
| | - Laodong Guo
- School of Freshwater Sciences , University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , 600 E Greenfield Ave. , Milwaukee , Wisconsin 53204 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Gołębiowski A, Kowalkowski T, Buszewski B. Molecular parameters of low methoxylated pectin affected by gelation with copper and cadmium cations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcdf.2020.100211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
49
|
Friedersdorf LE, Bjorkland R, Klaper RD, Sayes CM, Wiesner MR. Fifteen years of nanoEHS research advances science and fosters a vibrant community. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 14:996-998. [PMID: 31695147 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0574-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhema Bjorkland
- National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca D Klaper
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Christie M Sayes
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Mark R Wiesner
- Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Loosli F, Yi Z, Wang J, Baalousha M. Dispersion of natural nanomaterials in surface waters for better characterization of their physicochemical properties by AF4-ICP-MS-TEM. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 682:663-672. [PMID: 31129548 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Characterization and understanding of natural nanomaterials (NNMs) properties is essential to differentiate engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) from NNMs. However, NNMs in environmental samples typically occur as heteroaggregates with other particles, e.g., NNMs, ENMs, and larger particles. Therefore, there is a need to isolate NNMs into their primary particles to better characterize their physicochemical properties. Here, we evaluated the efficiency of sodium hydroxide, sodium oxalate, and sodium pyrophosphate to extract NNMs from surface waters. The extracted NNMs were characterized for total metal concentration by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following full digestion; size distribution, elemental composition and ratios by flow-field flow fractionation (AF4)-ICP-MS; and morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sodium pyrophosphate extraction resulted in the highest NNM concentration and the smallest NNM size distribution. Sodium hydroxide and sodium oxalate extraction generated heteroaggregates with a broad size distribution. The NNM extraction efficiency increased with extractant (sodium oxalate and sodium pyrophosphate) concentration. The concentration of metals in the sodium pyrophosphate-extracted NNMs compared to the total metal concentration was element-dependent and varied from as high as >80% for Cu, Zn, and Sr to as low as <5% for Al, Ti, and Nb. This study provides a simple protocol for NNM extraction from complex environmental samples and provides a better understanding of NNM physicochemical properties. The presented NNM extraction protocol forms the basis for ENM extraction from natural waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Loosli
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Zybang Yi
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, SC 29208, USA; School of Earth Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, SC 29208, USA
| | - Mohammed Baalousha
- Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, SC 29208, USA.
| |
Collapse
|