The role of heteroaggregation on the fate of engineered nanoparticles

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
208 Hudson Hall

Presenter

Arturo A. Keller

Arturo A. Keller, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Environmental Science and Management
Co-Director, UC Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA

Abstract: Once released into the environment, engineered nanoparticles encounter suspended sediments at a much higher frequency than other nanoparticles. However, the interactions between engineered nanoparticles and clays or other natural particles (heteroaggregation) has not been studied in detail. Recent experimental work in our research group indicates that there are multiple modes of interaction, depending on the water chemistry and the nature of the clays. The experimental results have been translated into a modeling framework that takes into consideration this key process. Heteroaggregation is shown to be a major determinant of the fate of engineered nanoparticles in the environment.