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Phytotoxicity, Translocation, and Biotransformation of NaYF 4 Upconversion Nanoparticles in a Soybean Plant
Author(s) -
Yin Wenyan,
Zhou Liangjun,
Ma Yuhui,
Tian Gan,
Zhao Jiating,
Yan Liang,
Zheng Xiaopeng,
Zhang Peng,
Yu Jie,
Gu Zhanjun,
Zhao Yuliang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201500701
Subject(s) - phytotoxicity , adsorption , biotransformation , nanoparticle , photon upconversion , absorption (acoustics) , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , incubation , nuclear chemistry , environmental chemistry , materials science , botany , luminescence , nanotechnology , biology , organic chemistry , biochemistry , composite material , enzyme , optoelectronics
The increasing uses of rare‐earth‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have obviously caused many concerns about their potential toxicology on live organisms. In addition, the UCNPs can be released into the environment, then transported into edible crop plants, and finally entered into food chain. Here, the soybean is chosen as a model plant to study the subchronic phytotoxicity, translocation, and biotransformation of NaYF 4 UCNPs. The incubation with UCNPs at a relative low concentration of 10 μg mL −1 leads to growth promotion for the roots and stems, while concentration exceeding 50 μg mL −1 brings concentration‐dependent inhibition. Upconversion luminescence imaging and scanning electron microscope characterization show that the UCNPs can be absorbed by roots and parts of the adsorbed UCNPs are then transported through vessels to stems and leaves. The near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra reveal that the adsorbed NaYF 4 nanoparticles are relatively stable during a 10 d incubation. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrum further indicates that a small amount of NaYF 4 is dissolved/digested and can transform into Y‐phosphate clusters in roots.