Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can potentially be inhaled. Adsorption of phenanthrene on CNTs was examined in the presence of pulmonary surfactant (Curosurf) and its main components, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). A passive-dosing method based on the equilibrium partitioning from a preloaded-polymer was employed to avoid separation between adsorbent and adsorbate. Curosurf, DPPC and BSA could all linearly solubilize phenanthrene, and phenanthrene solubilization by Curosurf was 4 times higher than individual components (DPPC or BSA). Dubinin-Ashtakhov model fitted the adsorption data of CNTs well. In the presence of Curosurf, DPPC or BSA, adsorption of phenanthrene by CNTs was suppressed, showing competitive adsorption between pulmonary surfactant (or DPPC, BSA) and phenanthrene. Competitive adsorption between Curosurf and phenanthrene was the strongest. Therefore, when PAHs-adsorbed CNTs enter the respiratory tract, PAHs can be desorbed from CNTs due to solubilization and competitive adsorption. Desorbed phenanthrene may be bioaccessible and have health risk.

Influence of pulmonary surfactant on phenanthrene adsorption by carbon nanotubes as determined by passive dosing technique

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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