Aggregation and Deposition Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes in Aquatic Environments

本研究的总体目标是研究碳纳米管在水环境中的聚集和沉积行为。由于碳纳米管独特的尺寸和物理化学性质，其聚集和沉积行为很可能与目前研究较多的亚微米级无机和有机胶体粒子的聚集和沉积行为截然不同。具体地说，我们将研究碳纳米管的功能化、原始单个碳纳米管的大小、聚集(捆绑)状态和水溶液组成如何影响水环境中聚集和沉积/过滤的动力学。这些信息将被用来评估释放到自然水域中的碳纳米管在多大程度上可能是更大的聚集体，以及这些聚集体由于沉淀和沉积/过滤等物理化学过程而被清除的可能性。

0646247ElimelechThe overall objective of this research is to investigate the aggregation and deposition behavior of CNT in aquatic environments. Because of the unique dimensions and physicochemical properties of CNTs, it is likely that their aggregation and deposition behaviors are quite different than those of the much studied submicrometer-sized inorganic and organic colloidal particles. Specifically, we will examine how CNT functionalization, size of primary single CNT, aggregation (bundling) state, and aqueous solution composition affect the kinetics of aggregation and deposition/filtration in aquatic environments. This information will be used to evaluate to what extent CNTs released into natural waters may be present as larger aggregates and the potential for these aggregates to be removed due to physicochemical processes such as sedimentation and deposition/filtration.