Release behavior of nano-silver textiles in simulated perspiration fluids

Abstract

For the purpose of evaluating the possible exposure risks of nano-silver coating textiles, the release behaviors of silver from nano-modified textiles are studied under three simulated perspiration fluids. The characterization and quantification of the released nano-ingredients were carried out under these conditions, and the results show that nano-silver could leave the fabric surface and be released into the environment under the simulated perspiration conditions with various pH values and compositions. The release amounts of silver are increased by extending the treatment time, while the release rates show great difference under different pH values. Moreover, we demonstrate that the release performances and existing forms of the nano-silver are different in the three simulated environments, which was suggested as a possible mechanism. In the acid perspiration solution, the released silver is proved to be sub-micrometer particles and ionic forms. In the alkaline perspiration solution, the final state of silver is mostly silver ions. Meanwhile, in the salt perspiration solution, despite partial aggregation, the majority of the released silver is maintained in the presence of nanoparticles. These results further indicate that the exposure risks of nano-silver is much higher in high ionic intensity conditions than the others, which would have important implications for the risk assessment of nano-silver textiles and also for environmental studies of nano-silver dispersion.

Release of nanomaterials from solid nanocomposites and consumer exposure assessment – a forward-looking review

“…Also the experimental setups applied for determining the release rates are very different. For example, the ENM release from fabrics has been investigated using ultrapure water (Benn and Westerhoff, 2008;Pasricha et al, 2012), tap water (Benn et al, 2010), washing solutions or artificial sweat (Kulthong et al, 2010;von Goetz et al, 2013a;Yan et al, 2012), each giving different outcome. Therefore there are a lot of variables that have to be taken into account when interpreting the results, such as exposure temperature, duration of the experiment, pH, etc.…”

“…A number of studies have attempted to mimic one of the possible real-life scenarios of nano-Ag textile use by immersing the fabrics into artificial sweat at body temperature (Kulthong et al, 2010;von Goetz et al, 2013a;Yan et al, 2012;Stefaniak et al, 2014). The quantities of Ag released varied substantially for different fabrics and pH values, and was most likely dependent on the amounts of silver in fabrics, the fabric quality and the composition and pH of artificial sweat applied.…”

“…This makes it difficult to extrapolate the release over the whole use phase. For example, washing the textile for the first time Geranio et al, 2009;Impellitteri et al, 2009) is not a representative event for the whole period of use of the product, and such is the case also for immersing never washed textiles into artificial sweat (Kulthong et al, 2010;von Goetz et al, 2013a;Yan et al, 2012).…”

Dermal exposure potential from textiles that contain silver nanoparticles

“…Yan et al fractionated silver ions from particles that were released from a textile treated by a finishing process and concluded that silver was primarily in particulate form in acidic artificial sweat (pH 3) but in ionic form in alkaline sweat (pH 8). 27 In contrast, von Goetz et al reported that more silver was released in ionic form than in particulate form in acidic artificial sweat (pH 5.5). 21 Our results are in agreement with von…”

An Overview of Nanotoxicology

“…Owing to its antibacterial, mothproofing and antistatic properties, AgNPs are used in textile industry [21]. AgNPs are effective biocides against bacteria, fungi, virii [22].…”