Comprehensive understanding of nano-sized particle separation processes using nanoparticle tracking analysis

• Published in: Water science and technology Vol. 72; no. 12; pp. 2318 - 2324
• Main Authors: Lawler, Desmond F, Youn, Sungmin, Zhu, Tongren, Kim, Ijung, Lau, Boris L T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IWA Publishing 01.12.2015
• Subjects: Acids; Benzopyrans; Calcium Compounds - chemistry; Citric Acid - chemistry; Destabilization; Electrolytes; Environmental science; Experiments; Filtration; Flocculation; Humic Substances; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnesium Compounds - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - classification; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - analysis; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - classification; Nitrates; Nitrates - chemistry; Osmolar Concentration; Particle Size; Povidone - chemistry; Separation; Separation processes; Silver; Sodium; Software; Tracking; United States > US
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2015.459

The understanding of nano-sized particle separation processes has been limited by difficulties of nanoparticle characterization. In this study, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was deployed to evaluate the absolute particle size distributions in laboratory scale flocculation and filtration experiments with silver nanoparticles. The results from NTA were consistent with standard theories of particle destabilization and transport. Direct observations of changes in absolute particle size distributions from NTA enhance both qualitative and quantitative understanding of particle separation processes of nano-sized particles.