Determination of Titanium (IV) Oxide Nanoparticles Released from Textiles by Single Particle – Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS)

Monitoring TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) that are released from functional textiles is significant for assessing the potential risk to consumers. However, determining the size distribution of TiO2 NPs is still a challenge due to agglomeration. The present study employed single particle–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) to quantify TiO2 NPs released from functional textiles. Through screening dispersants and validating the standard samples, an accurate method for determining the size and number of TiO2 NPs was developed. The validated procedure was successfully used to determine the release of TiO2 NPs from yarn in sweat and water media throughout the day. The result revealed that the yarn decorated with TiO2 NPs released approximately the same particle size distribution from 60 to 260 nm in both media. The released particle concentration was 0.094 µg/mL with a mean size of 136 nm in water and a particle concentration of 0.120 µg/mL with a mean size of 133 nm in sweat. Additionally, based upon transmission electron microscopy, anatase TiO2 NPs were identified. It is expected that this work is significant in the evaluation of the toxicological effects of multifunctional textiles modified by TiO2 NPs on human health.