International Council on Nanotechnology

ICON Web & News Virtual Journal Everything

Resources
	Virtual Journal
	Analyze Database
	GoodNanoGuide
	ICON Reports
	ICON Backgrounders
	Glossary
	Policy Reports
	Ratings Comment Guidelines
	Links

Quick Search:
Keywords: Search: Search Using OECD Database

Details

Return to Previous Page

Addition or Correction

Title:

Sunlight-Induced Reduction of Ionic Ag and Au to Metallic Nanoparticles by Dissolved Organic Matter

Date:

9/2012

Link to Journal Abstract

Abstract:

Despite the possible occurrence of metal nanoparticles in the environment due to the discharge of engineered nanoparticles and the natural transformation of metal ions into metal nanoparticles, little is known about the transformation mechanism, fates, behaviors, and effects of these nanoparticles in the environment. Here, we show that dissolved organic matter (DOM) in environmental waters can mediate the reduction of ionic Ag and Au to their metallic nanoparticles under natural sunlight, suggesting that this process may be general for metals with high reduction potential. We demonstrated that the reduction was mediated by superoxide from photoirradiation of the phenol group in DOM, and the dissolved O2 significantly enhanced the formation of Ag nanoparticles. These results imply that previous knowledge about O2-induced dissolution and its effect on persistence of Ag nanoparticles should be reconsidered in a sunlit DOM-rich aqueous environment. This study can also shed light on understanding possible natural sources of Ag and Au nanoparticles in the aquatic environment, which is possibly critical in the supergene enrichment of Ag and Au.

Non-technical Summary:

In this paper, the authors investigate how dissolved organic matter (DOM) in environmental waters can mediate the reduction of ionic Ag and Au to their metallic nanoparticles under natural sunlight

Content Emphasis

Peer Reviewed Journal Article

Exposure Or Hazard Target

Aquatic Ecosystem

Exposure Pathway

Other/Unspecified

Method Of Study

Environmental Study

Paper Type

Environmental Fate and Transport

Particle Type

Multiple