Publikationsrepositorium - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are present in a wide variety of consumer products, occasionally in significant quantities. During aging, abrasion or disposal of such products, NPs-release is likely - accompanied with effects for the environment that have to be investigated in more detail. The aim of this study is to quantify the amount of NPs (TiO2 and Ag0) released from composite coatings due to weathering, aging or mechanical stress and to follow the NPs along their further fate in the environment.
Generally, particle tracking may provide information on the transport behavoir of the particles in aqueous media or on their interactions with biota. Since NPs are possibly released in tiny amounts and into very complex natural systems, we suggest the radiolabelling of NPs as a tool for their very sensitive detection throughout their life cycle including complex media such as aquifer sands, soil or cells.
Within this study, a novel radiolabelling technique for TiO2 (P 25, Evonik Degussa) and Ag0 (Sigma-Aldrich) NPs is under development. During this labelling process, significant changes of the chemical composition and properties of the particles are avoided to the greatest possible extend.
Stability of the NPs in different media has been studied and results contribute to first estimates concerning their transport behaviour in the aquatic environment. Batch tests including sediment materials were conducted to describe interactions of Ag0 and TiO2 NPs with natural matrices.
Interactions of engineered NPs and natural colloids have been studied as well. Results show that natural colloids have a strong influence on stability and transport of engineered NPs under environmental conditions.
Based on these data, radiolabelling of engineered NPs may open up the chance for sensitive tracking of particles not only in environmental media but also in other complex systems.