The effect of chemical treatment conditions of titanium dioxide sols on their dispersion and cytotoxic properties

The effect of neutralization conditions of TiO₂ acid sol obtained by hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide (the nature of monovalent cation (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺) of electrolyte, chemical nature of a dialyzing solution, and surface modification of nanoparticles with glycidyl isopropyl ether (GE)) on TiO₂ dispersion and cytotoxic properties was investigated. The initial TiO ₂ and sols after treatment were examined by a set of physicochemical methods: XRD, CS, SAXS, AFM, and TEM. The in vitro toxic effect of nanoparticles was studied on a monolayer of MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cells by trypan blue staining. It was shown that chemical nature of the electrolyte cation affects sol agglomeration, which increases in a series Li⁺ > Na⁺ > NH₄ ⁺, and the use of phosphate buffer for sol dialysis facilitates the formation of more uniform disperse systems. Surface modification of TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) with glycidyl isopropyl ether (GE) was found to decrease its toxic effect on the cells.