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This work focuses on kinetic aspects of stability, mobility, and dissolution of bare Cu, Al and Mn, and SiO2 NPs in synthetic freshwater (FW) with and without the presence of natural organic matter (NOM). This includes elucidation of particle and surface interactions, metal dissolution kinetics, and speciation predictions of released metals in solution. Dihydroxy benzoic acid (DHBA) and humic acid adsorbed rapidly on all metal NPs (<1 min) via multiple surface coordinations, followed in general by rapid agglomeration and concomitant sedimentation for a large fraction of the particles. In contrast, NOM did not induce agglomeration of the SiO2 NPs during the test duration (21 days). DHBA in concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mM was unable to stabilize the metal NPs for time periods longer than 6 h, whereas humic acid, at certain concentrations (20 mg/L) was more efficient (>24 h). The presence of NOM increased the amount of released metals into solution, in particular for Al and Cu, whereas the effect for Mn was minor. At least 10% of the particle mass was dissolved within 24 h and remained in solution for the metal NPs in the presence of NOM. Speciation modeling revealed that released Al and Cu predominantly formed complexes with NOM, whereas less complexation was seen for Mn. The results imply that potentially dispersed NPs of Cu, Al and Mn readily dissolve or sediment close to the source in freshwater of low salinity, whereas SiO2 NPs are more stable and therefore more mobile in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In many concepts for final storage of spent nuclear fuel bentonite will be used as an engineered barrier, mainly due to its inertness, plasticity and ability to retard transport of radionuclides by adsorption. In the event of water-bearing fractures making contact with the bentonite barrier, generation and transport of colloidal particles will strongly depend on groundwater composition and the surface properties of the colloidal particles. The bentonite barrier will unavoidably be exposed to ionizing radiation from the spent nuclear fuel but very little is known about effects of ionizing radiation on bentonite concerning colloidal stability. In this work we have studied the effect of γ-radiation on the stability of dilute colloidal Na+-montmorillonite dispersions using a Cs-137 γ-source (doses of 0–53.2 kGy). Aggregation kinetics and sedimentation experiments revealed significant radiation effects, evident as increased colloid stability. The only rationale for this is a γ-radiation induced increase in surface potential. The effects appeared to depend on the Na+-montmorillonite concentration in the irradiated dispersions, indicating that the change in surface potential is induced by aqueous radiolysis products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The stability of the sodium and calcium forms of montmorillonite was studied at different NaCl and CaCl2 concentrations. The aggregation kinetics was determined from the decrease in particle concentration with time at different electrolyte concentrations. The DLVO theory defines the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) value as the electrolyte concentration that balances the attractive and repulsive potential energies between the particles, making aggregation diffusion-controlled. Therefore CCC values were obtained by extrapolation of the aggregation rate constants measured as a function of ionic strength to conditions where the rate constant value is determined by diffusion only. When the electrolyte was CaCl2, the CCC value was found to be approximately two orders of magnitude lower than the CCC values obtained using NaCl as electrolyte. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Compacted and water saturated bentonite will be used as an engineered barrier in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste in many countries. Due to the high dose rate of ionizing radiation outside the canisters holding the nuclear waste, radiolysis of the interlayer and pore water in the compacted bentonite is unavoidable. Upon reaction with the oxidizing and reducing species formed by water radiolysis (OH•, e− (aq), H•, H2O2, H2, HO2 •, H3O+), the overall redox properties in the bentonite barrier may change. In this study the influence of γ-radiation on the structural Fe(II)/FeTot ratio in montmorillonite and its reactivity towards hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was investigated in parallel experiments. The results show that under anoxic conditions the structural Fe(II)/FeTot ratio of dispersed Montmorillonite increased from ≤3 to 25–30% after γ-doses comparable to repository conditions. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the structural Fe(II)/FeTot ratio and the H2O2 decomposition rate in montmorillonite dispersions was found. This correlation was further verified in experiments with consecutive H2O2 additions, since the structural Fe(II)/FeTot ratio was seen to decrease concordantly. This work shows that the structural iron in montmorillonite could be a sink for one of the major oxidants formed upon water radiolysis in the bentonite barrier, H2O2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The stability of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) potentially released from clothing during a laundry cycle and their interactions with laundry-relevant surfactants [anionic (LAS), cationic (DTAC), and nonionic (Berol)] have been investigated. Surface interactions between Ag NPs and surfactants influence their speciation and stability. In the absence of surfactants as well as in the presence of LAS, the negatively charged Ag NPs were stable in solution for more than 1 day. At low DTAC concentrations (≤1 mM), DTAC-Ag NP interactions resulted in charge neutralization and formation of agglomerates. The surface charge of the particles became positive at higher concentrations due to a bilayer type formation of DTAC that prevents from agglomeration due to repulsive electrostatic forces between the positively charged colloids. The adsorption of Berol was enhanced when above its critical micelle concentration (cmc). This resulted in a surface charge close to zero and subsequent agglomeration. Extended DLVO theory calculations were in compliance with observed findings. The stability of the Ag NPs was shown to depend on the charge and concentration of the adsorbed surfactants. Such knowledge is important as it may influence the subsequent transport of Ag NPs through different chemical transients and thus their potential bioavailability and toxicity.

The stability of the sodium and calcium forms of montmorillonite was studied at different NaCl and CaCl2 concentrations. The aggregation kinetics was determined from the decrease in particle concentration with time at different electrolyte concentrations. The DLVO theory defines the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) value as the electrolyte concentration that balances the attractive and repulsive potential energies between the particles, making aggregation diffusion-controlled. Therefore CCC values were obtained by extrapolation of the aggregation rate constants measured as a function of ionic strength to conditions where the rate constant value is determined by diffusion only. When the electrolyte was CaCl2, the CCC value was found to be approximately two orders of magnitude lower than the CCC values obtained using NaCl as electrolyte.