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Abstract Volume 10 Issue 5 (2005) pp x371x-377

Do Nanoparticles Have Equilibrium Constants?

Thomas Manning,* Justin Bennett, Lori Hardin, and Kim Harris

Department of Chemistry, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia 31698, tmanning@valdosta.edu
Received January 13, 2005. Accepted May 5, 2005.

Published online: 26 September 2005

Abstract. In this exercise three systems that fall under the broad envelope of nanoparticles are examined by aqueous-phase titrations. First, we examine the acidity curve of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO) and monitor it with a pH and copper-ion selective electrode. The titration curve of CuO, which dissolves in acidic medium, is compared to the curve of insoluble titanium dioxide nanoparticles suspended in the aqueous phase. Second, we compare the titration curves of ZnO, CuO, Fe₂O₃, Ce₂O₃, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ nanoparticles suspended in solution and titrated with an acid. The ZnO and CuO curves indicate that the addition of an acid causes them to dissolve, the Fe₂O₃ and Ce₂O₃ titration curves suggest that the suspended nanoparticles protonate, and the TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ data show little reaction with the acid. Lastly, we analyze ozonated single-wall carbon nanotubes and salmon sperm ss-DNA and look for an interaction between the two systems. These three systems are presented not as individual laboratory exercises but are used to demonstrate that various aspects of nanoscience can be implemented as a first- or second-year chemistry laboratory exercise in a safe and economical manner.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; general chemistry; analytic chemistry; nano

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: tmanning@valdosta.edu)

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Issue date: October 1, 2005

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