Masters Theses

Chi-heng Wu

Abstract

"In the past ten years nanotechnology has not only evolved to play a prominent role in our economy but also increased the concern over potential adverse effects caused by nanomaterials to human health and the environment. Nanotoxicity is to understand the nature and origin of the toxicity imposed by nanomaterials. Studies from our laboratory have shown that nanoparticle induces oxidative stress, perturbs calcium homeostasis, alter gene expression, and produces pro-inflammatory responses. We also identified a trend of toxicity: TiO₂ < Cr₂O₃ < Fe₂O₃ < Mn₂O₃ < NiO < ZnO < CuO. We then asked a question: what are physiochemical factors of transition metal nanoparticles that contributed to this increasing cytotoxicity. In this thesis I investigated the correlation between physicochemical properties and toxicity of the transition metal oxides in the 4th Period of the Periodic Table of Elements. Particle size, BET surface area, point of zero charge, metal dissolution, and degree of surface adsorption of transition metal oxide nanoparticles were measured. There were no increasing trends in both particle size and specific surface area. The point of zero charge showed an increasing trend as TiO₂ < Cr₂O₃ < Fe₂O₃ < NiO < CuO = ZnO < Mn₂O₃. The number of available binding sites of nanoparticle showed an increasing trend as Cr₂O₃ > ZnO > CuO > NiO > Fe₂O₃ > Mn₂O₃ > TiO₂. The degree of adsorption on the surface of nanoparticles showed an increasing trend with atomic number, with the exception of Cr₂O₃. The degree of dissolution of transition metal oxides increases with atomic number. In summary, the factors that contribute to cytotoxicity of transition metal oxides were a combination of point of zero charge, number of available binding sites on the surface of nanoparticles, and metal dissolution. This study advances our understanding in mechanisms of nanotoxicity, which may lead to safer design of nanomaterials"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Huang, Yue-wern

Committee Member(s)

Shannon, Katie
Winiarz, Jeffrey G.

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

M.S. in Applied and Environmental Biology

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2012

Pagination

viii, 76 pages

Rights

© 2012 Chi-heng Wu, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Metals -- Dissolution
Nanoparticles -- Toxicology
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Transition metal oxides

Thesis Number

T 10078

Print OCLC #

829107895

Electronic OCLC #

800728563

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