Release, transport, transformation of particles / particle constituents
Particles are the smallest disperse particles. They can be distributed in different matrices, e.g. in air and other gases, in liquids (e.g. water) and soils, or in powder form. Product particles, such as synthetic nanomaterials, are also frequently incorporated into composite materials in their application. Particles in gases, liquids and soils can be transported in them, which can lead to conversion processes that can change particle concentration, size, shape and composition.
IUTA is involved in many research activities in the fields of release, transport and transformation of particles and particle constituents in different matrices. Airborne particles are one of the main areas of research. The release of particles into the air has played an important role in research activities for years. For example, a measurement setup has been developed that allows the release of fine dust and ultra-fine dust from automobile brakes to be measured reproducibly. Dedicated test benches have also been designed and built as part of several research projects to determine the release rates of nanomaterials from composites during mechanical processing. The determination of the release of (nano-)particles from plants for the production or further processing of nanomaterials as well as the measurement of the resulting exposure at the workplace is a further focus of IUTA’s work.
Another research project is investigating the influence of airborne titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) on NOx concentrations (see figure). TiO2 is currently the most produced nanomaterial. Among other things, it is known for its photocatalytic properties. It is to be expected that TiO2 released into the air reduces NO2 to NO under the influence of ultraviolet light. However, the implementation rates are still largely unknown and are to be determined within the framework of the NanoFASE project funded by the European Union and incorporated into an overall model of the fate and behaviour of nanomaterials in the environment.
In addition, IUTA has extensive experience in the field of the release of particles from plants and the subsequent transport as well as the transformation processes that occur during this process.
Figure: Experimental setup for the investigation of the influence of airborne TiO2 nanoparticles on NOx concentrations in outdoor air
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
Contact
Dr. Christof Asbach
asbach@iuta.de
Tel. +49 2065 / 418 – 409
Dr. Carmen Wolf
wolf@iuta.de
Tel. +49 2065 / 418 – 209
Current Projects
EU-Forschungsprojekt nanoFASE:
Nanomaterial Fate and Speciation in the Environment, gefördert von der Europäischen Kommission im Rahmen des Horizon 2020 Programms, www.nanofase.eu
BMBF-Forschungsprojekt nanoGRAVUR:
Nanostrukturierte Materialien – Gruppierung hinsichtlich Arbeits-, Verbraucher- und Umweltschutz und Risikominimierung, gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), FKZ: 03XP0002, www.iuta.de/nanogravur
Publications
I. Iavicoli, L. Fontana, P. Pingue, A.M. Todea, C. Asbach: Assessment of occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials in research laboratories using personal monitors, Science of the Total Environment 627: 689-702, 2018
C. Asbach, V. Neumann, C. Monz, D. Dahmann, M. van Tongeren, C. Alexander, L. MacCalman, A. M. Todea: On the effect of wearing personal nanoparticle monitors on the comparability of personal exposure measurements, Environmental Science: Nano 4: 233-243, 2017
A. C. John, M. Küpper, A.M.M. Manders-Groot, B. Debray, J.M. Lacome, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch: Emissions and possible environmental implication of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in the atmosphere, Atmosphere 8: 84, 2017
C. Asbach, A.M. Todea: Persönliche Exposition gegenüber ultrafeinen Partikeln im Alltag, Gefahrstoffe – Reinhaltung der Luft 76: 315-321, 2016
W. Wohlleben, J. Meyer, J. Muller, P. Müller, K. Vilsmeier, B. Stahlmecke, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch: Release from nanomaterials during their use phase: combined mechanical and chemical stresses applied to simple and multi-filler nanocomposites mimicking wear of nano-reinforced tires, Environmental Science: Nano 3: 1036-1051, 2016
H. Kaminski, M. Beyer, H. Fissan, C. Asbach, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch: Measurements of nanoscale TiO2 and Al2O3 in industrial workplace environments – Methodology and results, Aerosol and Air Quality Research 15: 129-141, 2015
E.M. Faghihi, D. Martin, S. Clifford, G. Edwards, C. He, C. Asbach, L. Morawska: Are there generalisable trends in the release of airborne synthetic clay nanoparticles from a jet milling process?, Aerosol and Air Quality Research 15: 365-375, 2015
K.L. Van Landuyt, B. Hellack, B. Van Meerbeek, M. Peumans, P. Hoet, M. Wiemann, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch, C. Asbach: Investigations on the release of nanoparticles from dental composites and oxidative surface reactivity of composite dust, Acta Biomaterialia, 10: 365-374, 2014
D. Kühnel, C. Nickel: The OECD expert meeting on ecotoxicology and environmental fate – Towards the development of improved OECD guidelines for the testing of nanomaterials, Science of the Total Environment 472: 347-353, 2014
S. Gartiser, F. Flach, C. nickel, M. Stintz, S. Damme, A. Schaeffer, L. Erdinger, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch: Behavior of nanoscale titanium dioxide in laboratory wastewater treatment plants according to OECD 303 A, Chemosphere 104: 197-204, 2014
S. Plitzko, N. Dziurowitz, C. Thim, C. Asbach, H. Kaminski, M. Voetz, U. Goetz, D. Dahmann: Messung der inhalativen Exposition gegenüber Nanomaterialien – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen, Gefahrstoffe – Reinhaltung der Luft 73: 295-301, 2013
J. Wang, C. Asbach, H. Fissan, T. Hülser, H. Kaminski, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch, D.Y.H. Pui: Emission measurement and safety assessment for the production process of silicon nanoparticles in a pilot scale facility, Journal of Nanoparticle Research 14: 759, 2012
J. Wang, C. Asbach, H. Fissan, T. Huelser, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch, D. Thompson, D.Y.H. Pui: How can Nanobiotechnology oversight advance science and industry? Journal of Nanoparticle Research 13:1373-1387, 2011
B. Stahlmecke, S. Wagner, C. Asbach, H. Kaminski, H. Fissan, T.A.J. Kuhlbusch: Investigation of airborne nanopowder agglomerate stability in an orifice under various differential pressure conditions, Journal of Nanoparticle Research 11: 1625, 2009