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Transport of Fullerene Nanoparticles in Saturated Porous Media
Citation:
BOUCHARD, D., XIN MA, C. Isaacson, AND J. W. WEAVER. Transport of Fullerene Nanoparticles in Saturated Porous Media. Presented at Micropol & Ecohazard 2009 Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 08 - 10, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this study were to investigate the transport of colloidal C60 aggregates formed in water without the aid of organic solvents (aqu/C60) through Iota quartz sand porous media.
Description:
The high strength, electrical conductivity, and electron affinity of fullerenes has lead to their utilization in fuel cells and drug-delivery devices, as well as in cosmetics and other applications. Though C60 fullerene is very insoluble in water, studies have shown that C60 fullerene can form stable colloidal suspensions in water that result in C60 aqueous concentrations many orders of magnitude above C60’s aqueous solubility. These studies have raised concern over the mobility of fullerene colloids in porous media, particularly for particles less than one micron that are characteristic of fullerene suspensions. The objectives of this study were to investigate the transport of colloidal C60 aggregates formed in water without the aid of organic solvents (aqu/C60) through Iota quartz sand porous media. Pulse inputs of aqu/C60 aggregates in suspensions with different solution chemistries were introduced into the columns and column effluent was monitored over time for mass (using LC/MS), as well as particle charge and size (dynamic light scattering). Particle mass transport was simulated using a modified form of the 1-D advective-dispersive transport model with terms for particle attachment and detachment rate, as well as for a limiting particle retention capacity of the collectors. The results of the model simulations are discussed in light of the contributions of the suspension background solution chemistry and particle interception, gravitational settling, and diffusion processes on particle retention.