Measuring the Release of Nanoparticles from Polymer Nanocomposites using Single Particle ICPMS and Field Flow Fractionation ICPMS

使用单颗粒 ICPMS 和场流分级 ICPMS 测量聚合物纳米复合材料中纳米颗粒的释放

• 批准号: 1336168
• 负责人: James Ranville
• 金额: $ 30.56万
• 依托单位: Colorado School of Mines
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1336168&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Measuring; Release; Nanoparticles; Polymer; Nanocomposites

1336168RanvilleOverview: This research proposal describes plans to study the release of nano-TiO2 and CNTs from polymer nanocomposites using highly sensitive quantitative analytical techniques. Most nanoparticles (NPs) will enter the environment initially as components of solid phase materials (i.e., nanoproducts). One of the most important types of nanoproducts are polymer nanocomposites that incorporate NPs such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nano-silver, or nano-scale metal oxides due to their ability to enhance polymer properties such as conductivity and load bearing capabilities. Indeed, polymer nanocomposites are already present in consumer products such as bicycles, anti-static parts for fuel lines, and packaging materials used in the electronic and food industries. Motivation for studying NP release from polymer nanocomposites is derived from two overriding considerations: (i) the paucity of information on the release of NPs from nanoproducts, despite the crucial role that NP release will play in determining the risk posed by NPs in the environment; and (ii) our initial results which indicate that NPs can indeed be released from polymer nanocomposites, and that NP release can be detected with single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICPMS).Intellectual Merit: The proposed research will transform our understanding of NP release from nanoproducts by identifying the factors that control the extent, nature, and rate of NP release. This will be accomplished by preparing and characterizing polymer nanocomposites containing nano-TiO2 or CNTs, where the identity of the matrix as well as the surface chemistry and NP loading will be varied. These well-defined composites will then be subjected to potential NP release scenarios and "accelerated aging" conditions that include photolysis, mechanical stress, thermal cycling and exposure to harsh oxidants. The concentration and nature of NPs released from the nanocomposites will then be evaluated. A major obstacle in conducting NP release studies is the need to measure extremely low (e.g. ng/L) concentrations of NPs. To overcome this obstacle, we will use spICPMS and field-flow fractionation (FFF-ICPMS) to determine particle size distributions and ng/L concentrations of nano-TiO2. Although detecting CNTs in spICPMS by measuring the carbon signal is ambiguous, the PIs have shown that embedded metal NPs can serve as proxies for CNTs. This approach allowed us to use spICPMS to detect CNT released from polymer nanocomposites. A key component of the work is to further improve spICPMS methodology for quantitative analysis of CNTs and to combine spICPMS and FFF-ICPMS to identify the physical form of released NPs.Broader Impacts: By integrating state-of-the-art detection capabilities into an experimental plan where well-defined polymer composites are exposed to potential release scenarios, we will be able to evaluate the effects of both nanocomposite composition and variable environmental conditions on the extent and rate of NP release. These data will enable us to identify release mechanisms as well as the polymer nanocomposite characteristics and the exposure conditions where NP release is most (and least) likely to occur. This new information will improve not only the accuracy of risk assessment and life cycle analysis models, but also inform the design of future nanoproducts that retain commercial value without contributing to adverse environmental health and safety effects. Analytical methods and experimental protocols developed will also provide a platform for researchers to examine NP release from other nanoproducts. Students who participate in this inherently interdisciplinary research project will acquire a unique skill set that incorporates elements of environmental science and engineering, materials chemistry, and analytical science, providing them with many career opportunities. Project results will be disseminated through presentations at national scientific meetings and local colleges as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals. The scientific impact of this project will be further enhanced by continuing to teach short courses on spICPMS applications at international meetings. The educational outreach will build on and expand our previous activities of involving undergraduates from 4-year colleges in research and in bringing in high school teachers for summer research programs. This project will also be used as a vehicle to incorporate concepts of nanoproduct use and impact into existing K-12 educational modules that we have developed and which have been used successfully in several Colorado high schools.

1336168Ranville 概述：该研究计划描述了使用高灵敏度定量分析技术研究聚合物纳米复合材料中纳米 TiO2 和 CNT 释放的计划。大多数纳米颗粒 (NP) 最初会作为固相材料（即纳米产品）的成分进入环境。最重要的纳米产品类型之一是聚合物纳米复合材料，其中包含碳纳米管（CNT）、纳米银或纳米级金属氧化物等纳米粒子，因为它们能够增强聚合物性能，例如导电性和承载能力。事实上，聚合物纳米复合材料已经出现在自行车、燃油管抗静电部件以及电子和食品行业使用的包装材料等消费品中。研究聚合物纳米复合材料中纳米颗粒释放的动机源于两个最重要的考虑因素：（i）尽管纳米颗粒释放在确定纳米颗粒在环境中造成的风险方面发挥着至关重要的作用，但有关纳米产品中纳米颗粒释放的信息却很少； (ii) 我们的初步结果表明，纳米颗粒确实可以从聚合物纳米复合材料中释放，并且可以通过单粒子电感耦合等离子体质谱 (spICPMS) 检测纳米颗粒的释放。 学术价值：本项研究将通过确定控制纳米颗粒释放程度、性质和速率的因素，改变我们对纳米产品中纳米颗粒释放的理解。这将通过制备和表征含有纳米 TiO2 或 CNT 的聚合物纳米复合材料来实现，其中基质的特性以及表面化学和 NP 负载量将有所不同。然后，这些明确的复合材料将受到潜在的纳米颗粒释放场景和“加速老化”条件的影响，包括光解、机械应力、热循环和暴露于刺激性氧化剂中。然后将评估从纳米复合材料中释放的纳米颗粒的浓度和性质。进行纳米颗粒释放研究的一个主要障碍是需要测量极低（例如纳克/升）浓度的纳米颗粒。为了克服这一障碍，我们将使用 spICPMS 和场流分级分离 (FFF-ICPMS) 来确定纳米 TiO2 的粒径分布和 ng/L 浓度。尽管通过测量碳信号来检测 spICPMS 中的碳纳米管尚不明确，但 PI 已表明嵌入的金属纳米颗粒可以作为碳纳米管的替代物。这种方法使我们能够使用 spICPMS 检测从聚合物纳米复合材料中释放的 CNT。这项工作的一个关键组成部分是进一步改进用于碳纳米管定量分析的 spICPMS 方法，并结合 spICPMS 和 FFF-ICPMS 来识别释放的 NP 的物理形式。 更广泛的影响：通过将最先进的检测功能集成到实验计划中，在该计划中明确定义的聚合物复合材料暴露于潜在的释放场景中，我们将能够评估纳米复合材料成分和变量的影响 环境条件对NP释放程度和速率的影响。这些数据将使我们能够确定释放机制以及聚合物纳米复合材料的特性以及最有可能（和最不可能）发生纳米颗粒释放的暴露条件。这些新信息不仅将提高风险评估和生命周期分析模型的准确性，还将为未来纳米产品的设计提供信息，这些产品保留商业价值，而不会对环境健康和安全造成不利影响。开发的分析方法和实验方案还将为研究人员提供一个平台来检查其他纳米产品中纳米粒子的释放。参与这个本质上跨学科研究项目的学生将获得一套独特的技能，其中融合了环境科学与工程、材料化学和分析科学的要素，为他们提供了许多职业机会。项目结果将通过在国家科学会议和当地大学的演讲以及同行评审期刊上的出版物来传播。通过继续在国际会议上教授有关 spICPMS 应用的短期课程，该项目的科学影响将得到进一步增强。教育推广活动将建立并扩大我们之前的活动，包括让四年制大学的本科生参与研究以及引进高中教师参加暑期研究项目。该项目还将用作将纳米产品使用和影响的概念纳入我们开发的现有 K-12 教育模块的工具，这些模块已在科罗拉多州的几所高中成功使用。