Faculty Advisor
Camesano, Terri Anne
Abstract
Nanoparticle toxicity in the environment is a major problem in industry, for many processes give off nanoparticles as waste. Nanoparticle waste affects environmental conditions and can be disruptive to organic systems. Citrate stabilized and functionalized gold nanoparticles were tested for membrane destabilization while in the presence of water or humic acid. It was found that in relation to experimental data using water the membrane destabilization with humic acid changed based on the nanoparticles’ functionality. Citrate stabilized nanoparticles both increased and decreased the amount of destabilization depending on how far the membrane was penetrated. Functionalized nanoparticles always decreased the amount of destabilization.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
April 2014
Major
Chemical Engineering
Project Type
Major Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
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Accessibility
Unrestricted
Advisor Department
Chemical Engineering