Development of a PIXE analysis method for the determination of the biopersistence of SiC and TiC nanoparticles in rat lungs

Abstract

With the advent of nanoparticles produced in high quantities and employed in products or processes, the need to evaluate their potential toxicological effects is necessary. For this purpose, biopersistence studies are needed to assess the possible effects of nanoparticles in parallel with a proper characterization. The insoluble character of many nanomaterials makes traditional chemical analytical methods unapplicable for the ex-vivo measurements of their concentration in organs. Ion beam-based techniques such as Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) can solve this difficulty. We illustrate that by the measurement of biopersistence of SiC and TiC nanoparticles instilled in rats lungs and investigated over a 60-day time span. The results can be obtained within minutes and the limits of detection are within ppm levels.

Keywords::

• Biopersistance
• nanoparticles
• characterization

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by the Service Public de Wallonie (SPW)-Direction générale opérationnelle - Economie, Emploi et Recherche (DGO6), Départément des Programmes de Recherche (Nanotoxico Project, SPW/FUNDP research convention No. 516252). Olivier Toussaint is a Research Associate of the Belgian FNR/FNRS. The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.