The interaction of double-charged metal ions with monolayers and bilayers of phospholipids

Electrophoretic mobilities of hexadecane/water emulsions containing dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or egg yolk lecithin (EYL) monolayers at the interface and those of liposomes prepared from the same lipids were measured as functions of the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ cations in the aqueous phase. The surface potentials, surface charge densities (σ), and the Langmuir adsorption isotherms for various distances from the charged surface to the slip plane (d) were calculated on the basis of the Gouy-Chapman theory for 1∶2 electrolytes and the values of ζ-potentials. The binding constants (K) and parametersd were determined under the assumption that the maximum σ values correspond to one ion per phospholipid molecule at the interface. In the case of DMPC, the ion binding constants (L mol⁻¹) at 25°C are 230 and 87 for Ca²⁺, 31.5 and 21 for Mn²⁺, 11 and 6 for Cu²⁺, and 7.5 and 5.3 for Ni²⁺ in liposomes and emulsions, respectively. The affinities of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions for EYL monolayers and bilayers are lower than those for DMPC mono- and bilayers. Thed parameters for all ions are smaller than the radii of the hydrated ions. In the case of Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺, thed values for mono- and bilayers are different. The differences in K values between monolayers and bilayers as well as those between DMPC and EYL mono- and bilayers can be attributed to the differences in the local environment and orientation of the interfacial phosphate groups in these systems. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2490–2495, December, 1998.     

Aggregation and fusion of phospholipid vesicles

Membrane fusion and aggregation of phospholipid vesicles are reviewed and discussed. The fusion process is viewed as consisting of several stages: aggregation and close apposition of the particles, destabilization, and finally, merging of the bilayers. A procedure is presented which yields both the rate constant of the dimerization (C₁₁) and the rate constant for fusion of the dimers (f₁₁), which is a direct measure of the probability that two apposed vesicles will fuse. Experimental methods used in the study of membrane fusion are reviewed, primarily with respect to their capacity to monitor the kinetics of vesicle fusion. A few kinetic studies on the mixing of aqueous contents, leakage and increase in size of fusing vesicles are presented in detail.The range of C₁₁ values for Ca²⁺-induced aggregation and fusion of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV, ～ 125 Å radius) composed of phosphatidylserine (PS) is 10⁶ to 5 × 10⁷ M^-1 in the presence of Ca²⁺ concentrations from 1.15 to 2 mM, respectively. For larger PS vesicles (LUV, ～ 500 Å radius) C₁₁ = 6.5 × 10⁷ M^-1s^-1 in the presence of 5 mM Ca²⁺. These values are in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, in which binding of cations is explicitly taken into account. The rate constants of fusion, f₁₁, are 5 s^-1 for PS SUV and 0.08 s^-1 for LUV in the presence of 2 mM and 5 mM Ca²⁺, respectively. The significance of these fusion rate constants to the duration of the fusion event is discussed.Factors affecting fusion such as cations, temperature, membrane composition vesicle concentration and size are reviewed and analyzed. Di- or tri-valent cations induce fusion of acidic phospholipid vesicles (except for phosphatidylinositol) in either pure or mixed form. Among the neutral phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC) inhibits but phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) sustains or enhances the fusion capacity of acidic phospholipid vesicles. Monovalent cations induce reversible aggregation of negatively charged vesicles, but they inhibit the fusion induced by divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺. Fusion of neutral phospholipid vesicles, and it occurs the cation-induced fusion of acidic phospholipid vesicles, and it occurs only at temperatures below the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature Tc. This is in contrast to the acidic phospholipid vesicle fusion which is greatly enhanced when the temperature is above the Tc of the phospholipid.     

Mg-induced vesicles of tetradecyldimethylamine oxide and magnesium dodecyl sulfate

A Mg²⁺-induced vesicle phase was prepared from a mixture of tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (C₁₄DMAO) and magnesium dodecyl sulfate [Mg(DS)₂] in aqueous solution. Study of the phase behavior shows that at the appropriate mixing ratios, Mg²⁺–ligand coordination between C₁₄DMAO and Mg(DS)₂ results in the formation of molecular bilayers, in which Mg²⁺ can firmly bind to the head groups of the two surfactants. The area of the head group can be reduced because of the complexation. In this case, no counterions exist in aqueous solution because of the fixation of Mg²⁺ ions to the bilayer membranes. Therefore, the charges of the bilayer membranes are not shielded by salts. The birefringent solutions of Mg(DS)₂ and C₁₄DMAO mixtures consist of vesicles which were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and rheological measurements. Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoplates were obtained via the decomposition of Mg(OH)₂ which were synthesized in Mg²⁺-induced vesicle phase which was used as the microreactor under the existence of ammonia hydroxide. The morphologies and structures of the obtained MgO nanoplates have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the crystal growth is along the (1 1 1) direction which can be affected by the presence of a vesicle phase having a fixation of Mg²⁺ ions to the bilayer membranes.     

A model for cation adsorption to clays and membranes

A cation adsorption model is presented and its recent applications are discussed. The model combines electrostatic equations with specific binding, and considers neutral and positively charged complexes between the negative surface sites and organic cations in a closed system. Extensions in the model account for dye aggregation in solution, and for the formation of solution complexes of inorganic cations, such as [M⁺⁺ Cl^–]⁺. The amounts of 45Ca²⁺ adsorbed to vesicles extracted from the plasma membranes of melon root cells could be adequately simulated and predicted. The binding coefficients determined for Ca²⁺, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺ are in the range of values previously deduced for binding to phospholipid components. Model calculations were applied to the test of hypotheses on the effect of salt stress on the growth of roots. The adsorption of monovalent organic cations to montmorillonite is characterized by binding coefficients that are at least six orders of magnitude larger than those of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cd²⁺, or those of CdCl⁺ or CaCl⁺. Monovalent organic cations were found to adsorb 140–200% of the cation exchange capacity of the clay and to cause charge reversal. Deductions from adsorption results of acriflavin are consistent with those drawn from the application of other experimental methods. Preliminary results on the adsorption of divalent organic cations are presented. Agro-environmental applications of organo-clays are discussed.     

Vesicle—vesicle interaction and forces between bilayers in phospholipid systems incorporating phosphatidylinositol

Sonicated vesicles have been prepared from mixtures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) covering a range of composition. The effect of temperature on the rates of aggregation of the vesicles on addition of calcium and magnesium ions has been investigated. Apart from pure PI vesicles the rates of aggregation decrease dramatically as the temperature approaches the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of DPPC. Low angle X-ray analysis of lamellar phases of DPPC-PI (75:25 wt%) in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions shows that between 35 and 45°C the repeat distance goes from 136 to 68 Å. It is suggested that below the chain-melting temperature of DPPC Ca²⁺ ions induce lateral phase separation of PI giving a lamellar repeat distance corresponding to the thickness of two bilayers.The net repulsive pressure between DPPC-PI bilayers has been measured by a vapour pressure technique as a function of temperature. At close apposition (<15 Å) the pressure is characteristic of hydration repulsion and increases with temperature. The repulsive force between the bilayers, lateral pressure and compressibility of the bilayers have also been determined. On progressively removing water from between the bilayers 5–14% of the work done goes into bilayer deformation, the remaining 86–95% being required to bring the bilayers together.     

The electrical conductivity of a network polymer based on tetraphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene

The electrical conductivity of a polymer based on tetraphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene in the form of H⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ag⁺, and Ba²⁺ cations was measured, and the self-diffusion coefficients and activation energies of metal cation diffusion in the polymer phase were calculated. It was found that the specific conductivity of the polymer in the form of Ba²⁺ cations was 0.004 S/cm, increased to 0.01 S/cm when the polymer was in the form of singly-charged metal cations, and became as high as 0.2 S/cm when the polymer was transformed into the H form. It was shown that the self-diffusion coefficients of metal cations in the polymer phase increased in the sequence Ba²⁺ < Ag⁺, Li⁺ < Na⁺. The conclusion was made that, over the temperature range 298–333 K, the activation energy of metal cation diffusion in polymer was 14–15 kJ/mol and did not obviously depend on the cation charge. Original Russian Text ? G.N. Al’tshuler, E.V. Ostapova, 2009, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 1171–1174.     

Interaction of gadolinium with phospholipids bilayer membranes

The effects of concentration of gadolinium ions Gd³⁺ on dipalmitoyl L-α-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) unilamellar vesicles in aqueous media were studied by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and differential scanning calorimeter. The theoretical predictions of the colloidal stability of liposomes were followed using the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Changes in the size of liposomes were observed as Gd³⁺ concentration increases, suggesting that this cation induces the aggregation of vesicles. To determine the effect of Gd³⁺ on the transition temperature (T _c) and on the enthalpy (ΔH _c) associated with the process differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been used. The addition of the metal ion provided DSC curves with different behavior to DPPC bilayer.     

Crown-containing butadienyl dyes 8. Structures and complexation of chromogenic dithia-15(18)-crown-5(6) ethers

The structures of new butadienyl dyes of the benzothiazole series containing the dithia-15-crown-5 (2a) or dithia-18-crown-6 (2b) fragments were established by X-ray diffraction. Complexation of dyes 2a,b with Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, and alkaline-earth cations in aqueous-acetonitrile solutions was studied by spectrophotometry. At a high percentage of water in solutions (P _w ≈ 50%), these dyes have a very low ability to bind Pb²⁺ cations (logK < 2) and virtually do not bind Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and alkaline-earth cations. At the same time, these dyes form stable 1: 1 complexes with Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ cations at all P _w. The stability constants of complexes with the Ag⁺ cation increase with increasing P _w because the free energy of hydration of this cation is much lower than the free energy of solvation in acetonitrile. In the P _w range from 0 to 75%, the stability constants of the complexes of dyes 2a,b with the Hg²⁺ cation are larger than those of the corresponding complexes with the Ag⁺ cation by more than four orders of magnitude. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 90–96, January, 2006.     

Sensing method based on impedance variation of minicolumn packed with cation-exchanger under electric field

Voltage-induced impedance variation of the minicolumn (i.d. 0.53 mm, length 2 mm) packed with cation exchanger was investigated to develop a sensing method. An aqueous sample solution containing the metal cations was continuously supplied to the minicolumn during the impedance measurement with the simultaneous application of both alternating current voltage (amplitude, 1.0 V; frequency, 200 kHz to 6 Hz) and direct current (DC) offset voltage (0.1 to 1.0 V). On a complex plane plot, the profile of the column impedance consisted of a semicircle (200 kHz to 100 Hz) and a straight line (<100 Hz), of which slope varied with the magnitude of the applied DC offset voltage (V _DC). The slope–V _DC relation depended on the kind of the metal cation and its concentration; in particular, the slope–V _DC relations of monovalent cations (Na⁺ and K⁺) and divalent ones (Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) were significantly different. With the change in the concentration of minor divalent salt of MgCl₂ or CaCl₂ (60 to 140 μM) in the sample solution containing 10 mM NaCl, the slopes showed almost linear relationships between those with application of V _DC = 0.1 V and 1.0 V both for magnesium and calcium additions. In the case of plural addition of both MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ to the solution, the data points in the slope_{0.1  V}–slope_{1.0  V} plot were located between the two proportional lines for single additions of magnesium and calcium, reflecting both the mixing ratio and net concentrations of the divalent cations. Thus, simulations determination of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ can be attained on the basis of the slope_{0.1  V}–slope_{1.0  V} relation obtained by the impedance measurements of the minicolumn. Actually, the contents of both magnesium and calcium cations in the bottled mineral waters determined simultaneously using the proposed method were almost equivalent to those obtained by the atomic absorption spectrometric measurement.     

Synthetic Crystalline Calcium Silicate Hydrate (I): Cation Exchange and Caesium Selectivity

Summary.  Solid crystalline calcium silicate hydrate (I) synthesized from equimolar amounts of Ca and Si under hydrothermal conditions at 120°C shows cation exchange properties towards divalent metal cations such as Ni, Cu, Cd, or Hg. It also exhibits caesium selectivity in the presence of Na⁺. The exchange capacity and selectivity of the solid can be increased by 10 and 28%, respectively, upon substitution of 0.01 mol of the Ca²⁺ in its structure by Na⁺. The ability of metal cation uptake by the solid was found to obey the order Ni²⁺ > Hg²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The different affinities of calcium silicate hydrate (I) towards these ions can be used for their separation from solutions and also in nuclear waste treatment. The mechanism of the exchange reaction is discussed. Received June 11, 2001. Accepted September 10, 2001     

Atomic many-body effects in the 4f XPS of the U<Superscript>5+</Superscript> and U<Superscript>4+</Superscript> cations: part II: consequences of orbital relaxation

Ab initio, fully relativistic four component theory was used to determine atomic many-body effects for the 4f X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of U⁵⁺ and U⁴⁺ cations. Many-body effects were included through the use of configuration interaction (CI) wavefunctions, WF‘s, that allow the mixing of XPS allowed and XPS forbidden configurations. This work extends our earlier study of the U 4f XPS in that the orbitals for the final, ionic states of the cations are allowed to relax in the presence of the 4f core-hole. In the earlier work, orbitals optimized for the initial state were frozen and also used for the final, ionic states. While the main XPS features are similar in both cases, using relaxed orbitals for the ionic states introduces changes in the multiplet splitting and in the 4f_5/2 and 4f_7/2 spin–orbit splitting. The extent of configuration mixing for the U⁵⁺ and U⁴⁺ final state WF’s is characterized by the magnitude of the intensity lost by the main peaks to satellites. Overall, the use of relaxed orbitals improves the agreement between the theoretical XPS for the U⁴⁺ cation and the experimental measurements for UO₂.     

Adsorptive removal of halo-olefinic impurities from 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane over ion-exchanged Y zeolites

Various metal cations exchanged Y zeolites were prepared via the exchange of NaY zeolite with aqueous solutions containing K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ cations, respectively. The influence of the extra-framework cations nature of these ion-exchanged Y zeolites on their adsorption performance for a low content of halo-olefinic impurities, mainly including 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (HCFC-1233zd), 1-chloro-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFC-1224zb) and 2-chloro-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFC-1224xe), in the 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) product after distillation was investigated. HCFC-1233zd impurity can be substantially removed from HFC-245fa product feed via the adsorption over multivalent metal cations and Cu⁺ cation exchanged Y zeolites, which is ascribed to the formation of π-adsorption complexes between HCFC-1233zd and zeolites, rather than over alkaline metal cations exchanged Y zeolites. Among multivalent metal cations exchanged Y zeolites, CeY has the highest adsorption capacity for HCFC-1233zd and best regeneration performance, due to its lowest density of strong Brønsted and weak Lewis acid sites as well as high framework stability during the regeneration. Regardless of the cations introduced in Y zeolite used as an adsorbent, HCFC-1224zb and HCFC-1224xe impurities are not obviously removed from HFC-245fa product feed via the adsorption, maybe due to more halogen atoms linked with the double bond in them comparing with HCFC-1233zd.     

Study of the state of nickel in ion-exchanged NiNaY zeolite by IR spectroscopy using molecular hydrogen adsorbed at low temperatures

The state of nickel cations in NiNaY zeolite subjected to thermal vacuum and oxidative-reductive treatment was analyzed using diffuse reflectance IR spectra of molecular hydrogen, CO, and hydroxy groups. In a sample dehydrated at 570 K, nickel forms oxide particles, which are presumably located in big cavities of a zeolite. Heating of the sample at 670 K results in decomposition of the oxide with the participation of hydroxy groups followed by the formation of stabilized Ni²⁺ cations in large cavities of the zeolite. Calcination of NiNaY zeolite in a hydrogen atmosphere at 730 K leads to Ni²⁺ cation reduction to the metal state and to the formation of acidic hydroxy groups. Nevertheless, Ni²⁺ cations can be regenerated by reoxidation of the reduced sample with oxygen at 670 K and further evacuation at 870 K. Thermal destruction of NiO in the reoxidized sample also proceeds on acidic hydroxy groups, but the temperature of this process is higher than the temperature of oxide decomposition in the initial NiNaY zeolite. The IR spectra of molecular hydrogen complexes with Ni²⁺ cations were observed for the first time. A considerable decrease in the H-H stretching vibration frequency for the coordinated molecules (up to 210 cm’1) can be explained by electron density redistribution between a hydrogen molecule and the cation in the complex     

Estimation of Li+, K+ and Ca2+ Complexation with [12] crown-4, [15] crown-5 and [18] crown-6 Using a Na+ ISE in Dioxane-Water, Part IV*

 The (1:1) Na⁺ equilibrium constants, Ke1, of macrocyclic ethers of [12]crown-4, [12]crown-5 and [18]crown-6 were determined with a Na⁺ ISE in the presence of a second cation e.g. Li⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in dioxane/water (50/50). We estimated the (1:1) equilibrium constants, K e2 of the macrocyclic ethers with Li⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ by this way. The binding selectivity of a macrocyclic ether between two cations was estimated in the same binary solvent mixture where the water hydration role is diminished. Results showed clearly the effect of macrocyclic size and cation radii in a solution. Received October 27, 1998. Revision March 22, 1999.     

Interaction and aggregation of lipid vesicles (DLVO theory versus modified DLVO theory)

Interaction and aggregation of acidic phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) vesicles were studied with variation of cation species and their concentrations in vesicle suspensions, and of vesicle sizes. Aggregation was determined by measuring turbidity of vesicle suspension. The experimental results of aggregation of vesicles induced by monovalent cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺ and TMA⁺) were explained well in terms of the interaction energy of two interacting vesicles using the ordinary Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory for both small and large lipid vesicles. However, the experimental results of aggregation of vesicles induced by divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺) were not explained by the ordinary DLVO theory. In order to explain the experimental results of these vesicle aggregation phenomena, it was necessary to modify the theory by including hydration interaction energies which are due to hydrated water at membrane surfaces, and their magnitude and sign depend upon the nature (hydrophobicity) of the membrane surface.     

Ruthenium-Decorated Lipid Vesicles: Light-Induced Release of [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) and Thermal Back Coordination

Electrostatic forces play an important role in the interaction between large transition metal complexes and lipid bilayers. In this work, a thioether-cholestanol hybrid ligand (4) was synthesized, which coordinates to ruthenium(II) via its sulfur atom and intercalates into lipid bilayers via its apolar tail. By mixing its ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(4)](2+) (terpy = 2,2';6',2'-terpyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with either the negatively charged lipid dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) or with the zwitterionic lipid dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), large unilamellar vesicles decorated with ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are formed. Upon visible light irradiation the ruthenium-sulfur coordination bond is selectively broken, releasing the ruthenium fragment as the free aqua complex [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+). The photochemical quantum yield under blue light irradiation (452 nm) is 0.0074(8) for DMPG vesicles and 0.0073(8) for DMPC vesicles (at 25 °C), which is not significantly different from similar homogeneous systems. Dynamic light scattering and cryo-TEM pictures show that the size and shape of the vesicles are not perturbed by light irradiation. Depending on the charge of the lipids, the cationic aqua complex either strongly interacts with the membrane (DMPG) or diffuses away from it (DMPC). Back coordination of [Ru(terpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) to the thioether-decorated vesicles takes place only at DMPG bilayers with high ligand concentrations (25 mol %) and elevated temperatures (70 °C). During this process, partial vesicle fusion was also observed. We discuss the potential of such ruthenium-decorated vesicles in the context of light-controlled molecular motion and light-triggered drug delivery.     

A radiochemical study of the kinetics of exchange between manganese oxides and some cations in solution

The kinetics of the exchange between⁵⁶Mn-labelled manganese dioxide and cations in aqueous solution was studied by measuring the β⁻ activity acquired by the solution. The results of the exchange between a chemical γ MnO₂ and a divalent M²⁺ ion (M=Mn, Co, Cu or Zn) or a trivalent M³⁺ ion (M=Ga, Fe, In, Rh or Al) indicate a fast initial process followed by a diffusion—controlled exchange. It is assumed that M²⁺ ions exchange with Mn²⁺ ions and M³⁺ ions exchange with Mn³⁺ ions in MnO₂. The process depends on the radii of the host and substituent ions and on consideration of crystal field stabilisation energies. It seems that the γ MnO₂ studied contains more Mn³⁺ than Mn²⁺ ions. The possibility of the exchange between Mn ions and cations of a different charge cannot be ruled out. The exchange between Co²⁺ ions and MnO₂ was enhanced in presence of pyrophosphate, which stabilises Mn(III) as a complex. The fraction of Mn in different samples of MnO₂ exchanged with a given cation depends on the type and not on the surface area of the sample.     

Ion specificity and viscosity of rutile dispersions

The isoelectric point (IEP) of rutile is shifted to higher pH values in the presence of greater than 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and when a critical concentration (5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ for Ba²⁺ and 1 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ for Ca²⁺) is exceeded there is no IEP at all and the ζ potential is always positive. A common intersection point for the ζ-potential curves of the different concentrations of salt is found, but for the various salts the point is shifted from ζ = 0 mV for Mg²⁺ up to ζ = 20 mV for Ba²⁺. Between the IEP and the charge-reversal point a rheologically unstable region is discovered. The shear stress of rutile dispersions (2.5 g rutile + 4 g electrolyte solution) at shear rates of 116 s⁻¹ shows the same pH dependence irrespective of the concentration of alkaline-earth metal cations up to 10⁻² mol dm⁻³. The shear stress is less than 1 Pa below pH 3.8 and in the pH range 5–12 it assumes a value between 50 and 80 Pa at 116 s⁻¹ with some scatter; however, no systematic trend with concentration of alkaline-earth metal cations and a rather insignificant decrease with pH at pristine conditions are observed. The acidic branch of the yield stress (pH) and low shear rate viscosity (pH) curves is insensitive to the presence of alkaline-earth metal cations, and the same behaviour is found for the ζ potential. The alkaline-earth metal cations induce an increase in viscosity in the basic region and a shift in the pH of maximum viscosity to high pH values. It was also discovered that the effect different alkaline-earth metal cations have on the rheological properties at the same concentration is different from the effect induced by indifferent electrolytes. When the ζ potential increases the viscosity at high pH is increased in a series which follows the increase in size of the cation. Received: 9 September 1998 Accepted in revised form: 12 January 1999     

An insight into aggregation kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics interaction with metal cations

Once inevitably released into the aquatic environment, polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) will present complicated environmental behaviors, of which the aggregation is a key process determining their environmental fate and impact. In this study, the aggregation kinetics of different sizes (30 nm and 100 nm) of PS-NPs with metal cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Pb²⁺) at different solution pH (3, 6 and 8) were investigated. The results showed that the aggregation of PS-NPs increased with cation concentration. Taking Pb²⁺ as an example, the adsorption behavior of cations onto PS-NPs was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, which demonstrated Pb²⁺ could be adhered onto the surface of PS-NPs with the effect of charge neutralization. The critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) of smaller PS-NPs were higher than that of larger PS-NPs for monovalent cations, whereas a different pattern is observed for divalent cations. It was suggested that there were other factors that DLVO theory does not consider affect the stability of NPs with different particle sizes. In addition, it should be noted that PS-NPs had the capacity of adsorbing large amounts of heavy metal cations and carried them transport to a long distance, and the corresponding ecological risks need to further elucidate.     

Influence of metal ions on the alkali-swelling behavior of carboxylated acrylic polymer latexes

The alkalization of carboxylated acrylic polymer latexes by sodium hydroxide gives rise to swelling of the particles. For a poly(n-butyl acrylate) latex copolymerized with 15 wt % methacrylic acid (MAA) and 7 wt % acrylonitrile the particle volume increases by a factor of 30. The alkali-swelling does not depend on the type of monovalent cation used in the base (LiOH, NaOH, KOH, NH₄OH). In contrast, when bivalent cation bases such as Ca(OH)₂ are employed no latex swelling is observed during neutralization because of ionic crosslinking of the copolymer chains. Crosslinking also takes place when the bivalent cations (Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺) are added as chlorides to dispersions with latexes previously swollen by sodium hydroxide. In these experiments the original size of the latexes is reached again at a molar ratio MAA: bivalent metal ion of 2:1, i.e. at charge compensation of the carboxyl groups. The shrinking behavior is almost independent of the type of bivalent metal ion used. On the other hand, it is more pronounced when trivalent cations such as Fe³⁺ are added. In general, the experiments demonstrate that the alkali swelling of acrylic latexes is dominated by electrostatic forces. Received: 18 August 1998 Accepted in revised form: 26 October 1998