Spatial distribution, temporal variations and source of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in Taihu Lake, China.

The detrimental impacts of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) on the ecosystem and organisms have aroused great public concerns. However, the information on their concentration in the real aquatic environment is still limited, hindering the rational evaluation of their potential hazards. In this study, water samples from Taihu Lake were collected in June and November 2023, to investigate the spatial distribution and temporal variations of TiONPs.

In situ characterization of silver nanoparticles sulfidation processes in aquatic solution by hollow fiber flow-field flow fractionation coupled with ICP-QQQ.

The sulfidation is considered as one of the most important environmental transformation processes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which affects their transport, uptake and toxicity. Herein, based on the hollow fiber flow-field flow fractionation coupled with triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HF5-ICP-QQQ), we developed an efficient approach to accurately characterize the sulfidation process of AgNPs in aquatic solutions. HF5 could efficiently remove interferential ions and separate nanoparticles with different sizes online, and ICP-QQQ could accurately detect S element through monitoring SO in mass shift mode.

Determination of the Particle Number Concentration, Size Distribution, and Species of Dominant Silver-Containing Nanoparticles in Soils by Single-Particle ICP-MS.

The potential risk of various silver-containing nanoparticles (AgCNPs) in soils is related to the concentration, size, and speciation, but their determination remains a great challenge. Herein, we developed an effective method for determining the particle number, size, and species of dominant AgCNPs in soils, including nanoparticles of silver (Ag NPs), silver chloride (AgCl NPs), and silver sulfide (AgS NPs). By ultrasonication wand-assisted tetrasodium pyrophosphate extraction, these AgCNPs were extracted efficiently from soils.

Spatial distribution of polystyrene nanoplastics and small microplastics in the Bohai Sea, China.

Micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) pollution has attracted public concerns. Currently, most environmental researches focus on large microplastics (MPs), while small MNPs that have great impacts on marine ecosystems are rarely reported. Understanding the pollution levels and distribution patterns of small MNPs could help assess their potential impacts on the ecosystem.

Influence of particle characteristics, heating temperature and time on the pyrolysis product distributions of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) has been widely used for the detection of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment. However, there is a lack of thorough investigation on the effects of pyrolysis temperature and time, as well as the particle source, size and mass of MNPs on the pyrolysis efficiency and pyrolysis product distribution of MNPs. Herein, taking the common plastics polystyrene (PS) as a model, we systematically evaluated the influences of the above factors on the pyrolysis of PS MNPs.

Tracking the dissolution behavior of zinc oxide nanoparticles in skimmed milk powder solutions.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are recently recommended as food additives owing to their outstanding nutritive function. Therefore, understanding their comprehensive information and stability in food samples is highly necessitated. However, the characterization of ZnO NPs in the complex food matrices remains a great challenge, limiting an in-depth understanding of their transformation during food storage.

On-line determination of soluble Zn content and size of the residual fraction in PM incubated in various aqueous media.

Transition metals in airborne particulate matter, especially those with aerodynamic diameters no more than 2.5 μm (PM), have attracted considerable attention due to their potential environmental and human health risks. However, determination of these potential risks requires comprehensive knowledge of their dissolution behavior and residual size in aqueous media.

Freezing Facilitates Formation of Silver Nanoparticles under Natural and Simulated Sunlight Conditions.

Freezing is essential in the light-mediated transformation of organic pollutants. However, the effects of the freezing process on the reduction of Ag by natural organic matter (NOM) remains unclear, causing significant uncertainties in the natural formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This study investigated the sunlight-induced reduction of Ag by NOM under natural or controlled freezing processes.