Phytotoxicity of VO2 nanoparticles with different sizes to pea seedlings

Qun Li; Ruonan Hu; Zhang Chen; Lingyun Chen; Jiahao Zhang; Xian Wu; Jia-Bei Li; Yanfeng Gao; Sheng-Tao Yang; Haifang Wang

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Sep 2022)

Phytotoxicity of VO2 nanoparticles with different sizes to pea seedlings

Qun Li,
Ruonan Hu,
Zhang Chen,
Lingyun Chen,
Jiahao Zhang,
Xian Wu,
Jia-Bei Li,
Yanfeng Gao,
Sheng-Tao Yang,
Haifang Wang

Affiliations

Qun Li: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
Ruonan Hu: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
Zhang Chen: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Lingyun Chen: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
Jiahao Zhang: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
Xian Wu: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
Jia-Bei Li: Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Yanfeng Gao: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Sheng-Tao Yang: Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China; Corresponding authors.
Haifang Wang: Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 242
p. 113885

Abstract

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Vanadium dioxide nanoparticles (VO2 NPs) have been massively produced due to their excellent metal-insulator transition characteristics for various applications. Pilot studies indicated the toxicity of VO2 NPs to bacteria and mammalian cells, but the environmental hazards of VO2 NPs to plants have been unrevealed to date. In this study, we reported the inhibitive effects of VO2 NPs to the growth and photosynthesis of pea seedlings. Laboratory synthesized monoclinic VO2 NPs (N-VO2), commercial nanosized VO2 NPs (S-VO2), and commercial microsized VO2 particles (M-VO2) were carefully characterized for environmental toxicity evaluations. VO2 particles were supplemented to culture medium for seed germination and seedling growth. All three VO2 samples did not affect the germination rates of pee seeds, while serious growth inhibition of pea seedlings was observed at 10 mg/L for S-VO2 and N-VO2, and 100 mg/L for M-VO2. VO2 particles had no impact on the chlorophyll contents, but the photosynthesis of leaf was significantly decreased following the consequence of N-VO2 > S-VO2 > M-VO2. The inhibition of photosynthesis was attributed to the damage of acceptor side of photosystem II by VO2 particles at high concentrations. Abundant bioaccumulations of vanadium in roots aroused oxidative damage and changed the root structure. Our results collectively indicated that the phytotoxicity of VO2 NPs was related to the concentration, size and crystalline degree.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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