Environmental behavior and toxicity of Ag and CeO2 nanoparticles: the role of surface functionalization and interaction with natural organic substances and iron oxohydroxides

We expect this project to provide vital information on how surface chemistry of nanmaterials dictates interactions with naturally occurring organic and mineral components of aquatic and soil environments. These data will be critical for the parameterization of models relating the structure of nanomaterials to their fate, transport and toxicity, including a proposed project (Call # FP7-NMP-2010-EU-USA) by collaboration in the European Union entitled "Modeling nanoparticle relationships with toxicity (ModelPART)". We expect that such need to take into account environmental modifications of surface chemistry in order to make accurate predictions.