Aggregation of stabilized TiO2 nanoparticle suspensions in the presence of inorganic ions.

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of inorganic ions on the aggregation kinetics of stabilized titanium dioxide (TiO(2) ) nanoparticle (NP) suspension, an NP mode widely used in consumer goods and in aquatic environments. The point of zero charge of stabilized TiO(2) NPs was approximately pH 6.5. The particle size of the stabilized TiO(2) NP suspensions increased with the increase in salt concentrations. The additional salts caused the shift of zeta potentials of TiO(2) suspensions to a lower value. The TiO(2) NPs aggregated more obviously in the presence of anions than cations, and the effect of divalent anions was larger than that of monovalent anions. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) values for commercial TiO(2) NP suspensions with positive surfaces were estimated as 290 and 2.3 meq/L for Cl(-) and SO 42-, respectively. These CCC values of stabilized TiO(2) NP suspensions are higher than those of TiO(2) NP powders, indicating greater stability of the commercial stabilized TiO(2) NP suspensions. The effects of commercial TiO(2) NP suspensions still need to be explored and defined. Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) analysis can explain the aggregation behaviors of stabilized TiO(2) NP suspensions. Such an understanding can facilitate the prediction of NP fate in the environment.