Toxicological consequences of extracting KNbO3 and BaTiO3nanoparticles from water using ionic liquids

Abstract

Hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids were used to remove KNbO₃ and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles from water at 25 °C. A very good extraction efficiency was obtained with distribution coefficients as high as 500. After extraction, toxicity of the aqueous phase containing residual amounts of nanoparticles and ionic liquids was assessed using Vibrio fischeri. A preliminary investigation of the toxicity mechanism was carried out with propidium iodide tests. A key result is that the simultaneous presence of a small amount of nanoparticles and ionic liquid in water can result in adverse toxicological effects compared to aqueous solutions containing solely nanoparticles or ionic liquids.