Stability Studies of Magnetite Nanoparticles in Environmental Solutions

• Published in: Materials Vol. 14; no. 17; p. 5069
• Main Authors: Klekotka, Urszula, Zambrzycka-Szelewa, Elżbieta, Satuła, Dariusz, Kalska-Szostko, Beata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 04.09.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Acids; Ammonia; Atomic absorption analysis; Composite materials; environmental pollution; Environmental protection; hazard; Heavy metals; Infrared spectroscopy; Magnetic fields; Magnetic properties; Magnetite; Morphology; Mossbauer spectroscopy; Nanoparticles; particles stability; Pollutants; Stability analysis; Surface water; Wastewater treatment; United States > US; Germany
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma14175069

In the presented paper, studies of magnetite nanoparticle stability in selected environmental solutions are reported. The durability tests were performed in four types of liquids: treated and untreated wastewater, river water, and commercial milk (0.5% fat). Nanoparticles before and after deposition in the testing conditions were measured by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The amount of Fe atoms transferred into the solutions was estimated on the basis of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The analysis of the obtained results shows good stability of the tested nanoparticles in all water solutions. They do not change their structure or magnetic properties significantly, which makes them a good candidate to be used as, for example, detectors of specific compounds or heavy metals. On the other hand, studies show that particles are stable in environmental conditions for a long period of time in an unchanged form, which can cause their accumulation; therefore, they may be hazardous to living organisms.