Table 1

Summary of experiments performed

Case

Nanoparticles

Conditions

Objective

1

TiO₂ (P25)

Particle concentration: 50 μg/ml; Three ionic strengths (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 M) and varying pH (3–11) by adding HCl, NaCl, and NaOH.

Determine the effect of solution IS and pH on dispersion characteristics

2

TiO₂ (P25)

Particle concentration: 50 μg/ml; NaCl and MgCl₂ with the same IS and with the same molar concentrations.

Examine the effect of electrolyte type (monovalent vs. divalent) on dispersion characteristics

3

TiO₂ (P25)

Particle concentration: 15, 25, 50, 150, and 500 μg/ml; DI H₂O; Solutions with pH of 4 and IS of 0.001–0.1 M by adding HCl and NaCl.

Test the effect of nanoparticle surface area (mass concentration) on the dispersion properties

4

Anatase TiO₂ (6–104 nm)

Particle concentration: 50 μg/ml; DI H₂O; Solutions with IS of 0.001 M and varying pH (3–11) by adding HCl, NaCl, and NaOH.

Study the effect of primary particle size on dispersion properties

5

TiO₂ (varying crystal phases)

Particle concentration: 50 μg/ml; Solutions with IS of 0.001 M and varying pH (3–11) by adding HCl, NaCl, and NaOH.

Investigate the effect of crystal phase on dispersion isoelectric point (IEP)

Suttiponparnit et al. Nanoscale Res Lett 2011 6:27   doi:10.1007/s11671-010-9772-1