Nanoparticle tracking analysis versus dynamic light scattering: Case study on the effect of Ca2+ and alginate on the aggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2018-10, Vol.360, p.319-328
• Main Authors: Hou, Jun, Ci, Hanlin, Wang, Peifang, Wang, Chao, Lv, Bowen, Miao, Lingzhan, You, Guoxiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregation; Dynamic light scattering; Nanoparticle tracking analysis; Nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.08.010

•Effect of Ca2+ and alginate on stability of CeO2 NPs studied.•Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) employed.•Aggregation of CeO2 NPs with alginate exhibited a heteroaggregation mechanism.•DLS and NTA provided insight into aggregation mechanisms.•DLS and NTA are complementary techniques to study nanoparticles in water. The effect of Ca2+ and alginate on the stability of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA); the two methods were then compared. DLS showed rapid aggregation of CeO2 NPs in 8 mM Ca2+ solution; however, NTA showed that some primary aggregates (200–400 nm) still remained—a result that was obscured in DLS measurements. Aggregation of alginate molecules was also studied using DLS and NTA, where NTA particle concentration and video provided additional information on the alginate aggregation progress. Finally, DLS showed that in the presence of alginate, the aggregation rate and size of CeO2 NPs increased. NTA intensity measurements provided insight into a heteroaggregation and bridging mechanism. NTA particle concentration and video also showed CeO2 NPs were linked by alginate gel in high Ca2+ concentration (>4 mM). the DLS and NTA had different advantages in measuring particle size. DLS could better study the initial aggregation stage and large aggregates, while NTA could better detect small aggregates. NTA also measured particle number concentration, individual intensity, and particle motion video, which provided additional insight. Combining these two methods could help us to better understand the behavior and fate of NPs in water.