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The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Leo, BF; Chen, S; Kyo, Y; Herpoldt, K-L; Terrill, NJ; Dunlop, IE; McPhail, DS; Shaffer, MS; Schwander, S; Gow, A; Zhang, J; Chung, KF ...
Published in: Environmental science & technology
October 2013

The growing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products has raised concerns about their potential impact on the environment and human health. Whether AgNPs dissolve and release Ag(+) ions, or coarsen to form large aggregates, is critical in determining their potential toxicity. In this work, the stability of AgNPs in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), the major component of pulmonary surfactant, was investigated as a function of pH. Spherical, citrate-capped AgNPs with average diameters of 14 ± 1.6 nm (n = 200) were prepared by a chemical bath reduction. The kinetics of Ag(+) ion release was strongly pH-dependent. After 14 days of incubation in sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) or perchloric acid (HClO4) solutions, the total fraction of AgNPs dissolved varied from ∼10% at pH 3, to ∼2% at pH 5, with negligible dissolution at pH 7. A decrease in pH from 7 to 3 also promoted particle aggregation and coarsening. DPPC (100 mg·L(-1)) delayed the release of Ag(+) ions, but did not significantly alter the total amount of Ag(+) released after two weeks. In addition, DPPC improved the dispersion of the AgNPs and inhibited aggregation and coarsening. TEM images revealed that the AgNPs were coated with a DPPC layer serving as a semipermeable layer. Hence, lung lining fluid, particularly DPPC, can modify the aggregation state and kinetics of Ag(+) ion release of inhaled AgNPs in the lung. These observations have important implications for predicting the potential reactivity of AgNPs in the lung and the environment.

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Published In

Environmental science & technology

DOI

EISSN

1520-5851

ISSN

0013-936X

Publication Date

October 2013

Volume

47

Issue

19

Start / End Page

11232 / 11240

Related Subject Headings

  • Silver
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Metal Nanoparticles
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Citric Acid
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
 

Citation

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Leo, B. F., Chen, S., Kyo, Y., Herpoldt, K.-L., Terrill, N. J., Dunlop, I. E., … Ryan, M. P. (2013). The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant. Environmental Science & Technology, 47(19), 11232–11240. https://doi.org/10.1021/es403377p
Leo, Bey Fen, Shu Chen, Yoshihiko Kyo, Karla-Luise Herpoldt, Nicholas J. Terrill, Iain E. Dunlop, David S. McPhail, et al. “The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant.Environmental Science & Technology 47, no. 19 (October 2013): 11232–40. https://doi.org/10.1021/es403377p.
Leo BF, Chen S, Kyo Y, Herpoldt K-L, Terrill NJ, Dunlop IE, et al. The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant. Environmental science & technology. 2013 Oct;47(19):11232–40.
Leo, Bey Fen, et al. “The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant.Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 47, no. 19, Oct. 2013, pp. 11232–40. Epmc, doi:10.1021/es403377p.
Leo BF, Chen S, Kyo Y, Herpoldt K-L, Terrill NJ, Dunlop IE, McPhail DS, Shaffer MS, Schwander S, Gow A, Zhang J, Chung KF, Tetley TD, Porter AE, Ryan MP. The stability of silver nanoparticles in a model of pulmonary surfactant. Environmental science & technology. 2013 Oct;47(19):11232–11240.
Journal cover image

Published In

Environmental science & technology

DOI

EISSN

1520-5851

ISSN

0013-936X

Publication Date

October 2013

Volume

47

Issue

19

Start / End Page

11232 / 11240

Related Subject Headings

  • Silver
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Metal Nanoparticles
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Citric Acid
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine