Effects of polyphosphates and orthophosphate on the dissolution and transformation of ZnO nanoparticles

•Polyphosphates affect the speciation and transformation of ZnO NPs through multiple processes.•The interactions of ZnO NPs with P1, P2, and P3 formed Zn-P precipitates.•P6 promoted the dissolution of ZnO NPs via the formation of soluble Zn-P6 complexes.•The transformation of ZnO NPs was affected by reaction time, pH, and P/Zn molar ratio.•New insights for understanding the uptake of P compounds by ZnO NPs via enhanced particle dissolution and transformation.

The fate and toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in nature are affected by solution chemistry such as pH, anions, and natural organic matter (NOM). Inorganic polyphosphates are environmentally ubiquitous phosphorus (P) species that may change the speciation and environmental fate of ZnO NPs. In this study, the interactions of polyphosphates with ZnO NPs and the impacts on ZnO NP dissolution and transformation were investigated and compared with orthophosphate (P1). The results revealed that pyrophosphate (P2), tripolyphosphate (P3), and hexametaphosphate (P6) enhanced whereas P1 inhibited the dissolution of ZnO NPs. In addition, P1, P2, and P3 promoted the transformation of ZnO NPs into zinc phosphate (Zn-P) precipitates via interactions with dissolved Zn2+. However, P6-promoted ZnO NP dissolution was through the formation of soluble Zn-P complexes due to the strong capability of P6 to chelate with Zn2+. The transformation of ZnO NPs in the presence of P3 was affected by reaction time, pH, and P/Zn molar ratio. P3 first formed inner-sphere surface complexes on ZnO NPs, which gradually transformed into crystalline Zn2HP3O10(H2O)6 precipitates. This study provided a new perspective for understanding the reactivity of various forms of inorganic phosphate species with ZnO NPs in the natural environment.

Graphical abstractSchematic showing the effects of polyphosphates on the dissolution and transformation of ZnO nanoparticles.Download high-res image (239KB)Download full-size image