Dispersion and Stability of Nanoalumina in Solution Prior to Exposure

Dispersion of nanoalumina in normal saline (NS) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was studied. The effects of different dispersing methods were investigated. The results showed nanoalumina was better dispersed in NS than PBS. And sonication was a more effective method that helped deaggregation compared with vortex oscillation. Finally, the influence of sonication time on the particle size and the stability of the sonicated NS suspension were studied using dynamic light scattering. The aggregation size was decreased to about 130 nm after ten-minute sonication and maintained when increasing sonication time. The particles would aggregate again during the storing time. The results of this study need to be taken into account prior to dosing in nanoalumina toxicology studies.