Tracking dissolution of silver nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentrations in laboratory, natural, and processed waters using single particle ICP-MS (splCP-MS)

摘要

The interplay between engineered nanoparticle (ENP) size, surface area, and dissolution rate is critical in predicting ENP environmental behavior. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (splCP-MS) enables the study of ENPs at dilute (ng L~(-1)) concentrations, facilitating the measurement of ENP behavior in natural systems. Here, the utility of using splCP-MS to quantitatively track the changes in particle diameter over time for 60 and 100 nm Ag ENPs (citrate, tannic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated) was demonstrated. Short term (<24 h) and intermediate term (1 week) dissolution was examined, with rates for all particles slowing by over an order of magnitude after approximately 24 h.