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Natural silicate nanoparticles: separation, characterization, and assessment of stability and perspectives of their use as reference nanomaterials

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Abstract

Natural nanomaterials, which play a very important role in environmental processes, are so far poorly studied. Firstly, the separation of nanoparticles from the bulk sample is a challenge. Secondly, the absence of reference natural nanomaterials makes it impossible to compare the results obtained by different researchers and develop a unified methodology for the separation and characterization of natural nanomaterials. Therefore, the development of reference natural nanomaterials is an urgent need of the environmental analytical chemistry. In this work, mineral nanoparticles (kaolinite, montmorillonite, muscovite, and quartz) have been studied as potential reference natural nanomaterials. A set of analytical methods including coiled-tube field-flow fractionation, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, laser diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission, and mass spectrometry are applied to the separation and characterization of nanoparticles. It has been shown by laser diffraction that 93–98% of separated mineral nanoparticles are in the size range from about 40 to 300 nm, while 2–7% have size up to 830 nm. The size range of particles is confirmed by electron microscopy. Major (Al, Na, K, Ca, Fe), trace (Ti, Co, Cu, Zn, Tl, Pb, Bi, etc.), and rare earth elements have been determined in the suspensions of kaolinite, montmorillonite, and muscovite nanoparticles. Based on Al content, the concentration of mineral nanoparticles in suspensions is estimated. Agglomeration stability (consistency of size distribution) of nanoparticles at pH 6–8 is assessed. It has been shown that muscovite nanoparticles are stable at pH 7–8, whereas montmorillonite nanoparticles are stable only at pH 8 for at least 4 weeks. A noticeable agglomeration of kaolinite nanoparticles is observed at pH 6–8. Due to the low concentration of quartz nanoparticles, their characterization and stability assessment are hindered. The challenges of the development of reference natural nanomaterials are discussed.

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Notes

  1. 1 Tg = 1012 g

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Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to Prof. Olga B. Rogova (V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, Moscow, Russia) for the provided samples of minerals.

Funding

The work is supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 20-73-00299). The study corresponds to the research topic no. 0116-2019-0010 of Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    Mikhail S. Ermolin, Alexandr I. Ivaneev, Andrey A. Burmistrov & Petr S. Fedotov

  2. National University of Science and Technology ‘MISIS’, 4 Leninsky prospect, 119049, Moscow, Russia

    Natalia N. Fedyunina

  3. Institute of Microelectronics Technology and High-Purity Materials, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Akademika Osipiana Street, 142432, Chernogolovka, Russia

    Vasily K. Karandashev

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  1. Mikhail S. Ermolin
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  2. Alexandr I. Ivaneev
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  3. Natalia N. Fedyunina
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Correspondence to Mikhail S. Ermolin.

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Ermolin, M.S., Ivaneev, A.I., Fedyunina, N.N. et al. Natural silicate nanoparticles: separation, characterization, and assessment of stability and perspectives of their use as reference nanomaterials. Anal Bioanal Chem 413, 3999–4012 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03351-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03351-2

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