Effects of Cd(II) on the stability of humic acid-coated nano-TiO2 particles in aquatic environments

The stability of nanoparticles (NPs) in aquatic environments is important to evaluate their adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Nanoparticle stability is known to be influenced by coexisting ions and dissolved organic matter. This study was designed to investigate the effects of coexisting low-level Cd(II) on the stability of humic acid-coated nano-TiO2 (HA-TiO2) particles in aquatic environments by measuring their aggregation kinetics through time-resolved dynamic light scattering (DLS) and monitoring suspended HA-TiO2 concentrations via optical absorbance changes over time. The particles exhibited aggregation behavior consistent with the classic Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The results showed that Cd(II) concentration, pH, and ionic strength had various effects on the aggregation kinetics of the HA-TiO2 NPs. The HA-TiO2 particles aggregated faster as the Cd(II) concentration increased whereas the stability of the nanoparticles increased as the solution pH increased or ionic strength decreased regardless of the Cd(II) concentration. At the fixed pH and ionic strength conditions, the addition of Cd(II) promoted aggregation of nanoparticles, leading to higher attachment efficiencies. The enhanced aggregation of the HA-TiO2 NPs in the presence of coexisting cadmium ions in aqueous solutions indicated that the fate and transport of nanoparticles could be greatly affected by heavy metals in aquatic environments.