The dissolution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the subsequent release of silver ions (Ag(I)(aq)) is a vital area of study within the field of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) due to the relative ubiquity of AgNPs in industry and their well-characterized cytotoxic effects. Biophysiochemical surface interactions, such as protein adsorption, have the potential to modify dissolution rates of these AgNPs. To establish a simple matrix and optimized technique for monitoring AgNP dissolution in biological matrices, we report the use of Linear Sweep Stripping Voltammetry (LSSV) in determining dissolution rates of varying nanoparticle sizes (10, 20, and 40 nm) in varying concentrations (0-2 nM) of the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). Our data show that the presence of BSA enhances dissolution of AgNPs at all particle sizes, and that the degree of BSA-mediated dissolution is dependent on particle size, with more pronounced enhancements as particle size decreased. As nanoparticle waste from industrial processes becomes more prevalent, there arises a need to move beyond simple biological matrices towards more comprehensive environmental models, such as bacterial metabolites and media. Here we also report the effects of peptone yeast-extract (PYE) media and its individual components, including Bactopeptone (casein hydrolysate), yeast extract, and low concentrations of MgSO4 and CaCl2 on AgNP dissolution rates. In addition, we investigated the effects of “spent” PYE media used to culture Caulobacter crescentus, an oligotrophic alphaproteobacterium commonly isolated from aquatic environments. Our results show significant enhancement of the AgNP dissolution rate in solutions containing “spent” PYE media, as well as Bactopeptone and yeast extract, while demonstrating slight suppression of dissolution in unaltered PYE, and no changes in the presence of low concentrations of salt.

Using linear sweep stripping voltammetry to quantify silver nanoparticle dissolution rates in complex matrices

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.