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Surface ChargeRegulation of Nanoplastics in AquaticEnvironments
Summary
This study developed a coupled mathematical model integrating the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equation with diffusive transport to predict how environmental factors regulate nanoplastic surface charge in water. The model identified pH and ionic composition as dominant controllers of surface charge, with implications for nanoplastic aggregation and ecotoxicological behavior.
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose significant environmental and health hazards, with their aquatic transport and aggregation being critically governed by surface charge properties. However, the factors controlling NPs’ surface charge remain incompletely understood. This study develops a coupled model that integrates the Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equation (encompassing electrostatic field and diffusive transport) with a surface adsorption reaction model. Employing polystyrene NPs adsorbing sulfate ions as a model system, we systematically analyze the effects of particle size, shape, and ionic exclusion on surface charge across varying pH. Interparticle interaction energies are quantified via Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. This work provides quantitative insights into the mechanisms governing the variability of NPs’ surface charge. The findings offer a theoretical basis for developing strategies to control the aggregation and removal of NPs in aqueous environments.