Scientists investigating the influence of different properties on the aggregation behaviour of engineered nanoparticles have concluded that the properties of the capping agent has a greater influence on grouping of the particles than either the core composition of the nanomaterial or particle size. The researchers, based in Austria and Canada, demonstrated this by studying the behaviour of functionalised gold nanoparticles. Their research is published in Chemosphere.
A second study by researchers investigating the toxicity of fullerene (C60) nanoparticles in comparison to particle size has concluded that smaller nanoparticles may have higher toxicity potency. The research compared the effects of different sized C60 nanoparticles on cultured human cells, and is published in Environmental Science and Technology.
A third study by scientists in Portugal and Denmark has evaluated the toxicity of copper nanoparticles on the worm species Enchytraeus albidus, concluding that the nanoparticles are more toxic to the worms than the same concentrations of copper chloride salt. The study is published in Environmental Pollution.
Fonte: ChemicalWatch
