skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Title: Understanding Reaction Mechanisms of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) with Lithium Cobalt Oxide and Other Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
High-valent metal oxides such as LiCoO2 and related materials are of increasing environmental concern due to the large-scale use in lithium-ion batteries and potential for metal ion release into aqueous systems. A key aspect of the environmental chemistry of these materials is the potential role redox chemistry plays in their transformations as well as their influence on the surrounding environment (i.e., biomolecules, organisms etc.). In recent work, we showed that LiCoO2(a common lithium-ion battery cathode material) oxidizes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), an essential molecule for electron transport, and enhances Co release from LiCoO2. In the present work, we investigated the mechanism of interaction by examining the role of the ribose, phosphate, adenosine, and the nicotinamide components of NADH in the transformation of LiCoO2 nanoparticles. To build an understanding of the interaction mechanism, we used fluorescence spectroscopy to measure the changes in redox state and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the changes in dissolved Co. Our results reveal the importance of surface binding, via the phosphate functionality, in initiating the redox transformation of both the LiCoO2 and the NADH. Observations from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data show that molecules containing phosphate were bound to the surface of the nanoparticles and those without that functionality were not. We further established the generality of the results with LiCoO2 by examining other high-valent transition metal oxides. This surface binding effect has implications for understanding how other phosphorylated species can be transformed directly in the presence of high-valent metal oxide nanomaterials.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2001611
PAR ID:
10464937
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Environmental Science: Nano
ISSN:
2051-8153
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. null (Ed.)
    Among high-valence metal oxides, LiCoO 2 and related materials are of environmental importance because of the rapidly increasing use of these materials as cathodes in lithium ion batteries. Understanding the impact of these materials on aqueous environments relies on understanding their redox chemistry because Co release is dependent on oxidation state. Despite the critical role that redox chemistry plays in cellular homeostasis, the influence of specific biologically relevant electron transporters such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glutathione (GSH) on the transformation of engineered nanoparticles has not been widely considered previously. Here we report an investigation of the interaction of LiCoO 2 nanoparticles with NADH and GSH. Measurements of Co release using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) show that exposing LiCoO 2 nanoparticles to either NADH or GSH increases solubilization of cobalt, while corresponding spectroscopic measurements show that NADH is concurrently oxidized to NAD + . To demonstrate that these effects are a consequence the high-valence Co(III) inLiCoO 2 nanoparticles, we performed control experiments using Co(II)-containing Co(OH) 2 and LiCoPO 4 , and dissolved Co 2+ /Li + ions. Additional experiments using molecules of similar structure to NADH and GSH, but that are not reducing agents, confirm that these transformations are driven by redox reactions and not by chelation effects. Our data show that interaction of LiCoO 2 with NADH and GSH induces release Co 2+ ions and alters the redox state of these biologically important transporters. Observation of NADH binding to LiCoO 2 using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggests a surface catalyzed reaction. The reciprocal reduction of LiCoO 2 to enable release of Co 2+ and corresponding oxidation of NADH and GSH as model redox-active biomolecules has implications for understanding the biological impacts of high-valence metal oxide nanomaterials. 
    more » « less
  2. Developing a materials perspective of how to control the degradation and negative impact of complex metal oxides requires an integrated understanding of how these nanomaterials transform in the environment and interact with biological systems. Doping with aluminum is known to stabilize oxide materials, but has not been assessed cohesively from synthesis to environmental fate and biological impact. In the present study, the influence of aluminum doping on metal ion release from transition metal oxides was investigated by comparing aqueous transformations of lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNi0.82Co0.15Al0.03O2; NCA) and lithium nickel cobalt oxide (LiNi0.80Co0.20O2; NC) nanoparticles and by calculating the energetics of metal release using a density functional theory (DFT) and thermodynamics method. Two model environmental organisms were used to assess biological impact, and metal ion release was compared for NCA and NC nanoparticles incubated in their respective growth media: moderately hard reconstituted water (MHRW) for the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna (D. magna) and minimal growth medium for the Gram-negative bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (S. oneidensis). The amount of metal ions released was reduced for NCA compared to NC in MHRW, which correlated to changes in the modeled energetics of release upon Al substitution in the lattice. In minimal medium, metal ion release was approximately an order of magnitude higher compared to MHRW and was similar to the stoichiometry of the bulk nanoparticles for both NCA and NC. Interpretation of the release profiles and modeling indicated that the increase in total metal ion release and the reduced influence of Al doping arises from lactate complexation of metal ions in solution. The relative biological impacts of NC and NCA exposure for both S. oneidensis and D. magna were consistent with the metal release trends observed for minimal medium and MHRW, respectively. Together, these results demonstrate how a combined experimental and computational approach provides valuable insight into the aqueous transformations and biological impacts of complex metal oxide nanoparticles. 
    more » « less
  3. A classical model in the framework of the INTERFACE force field has been developed for treating the LiCoO$$_2$$ (LCO) (001)/water interface. In comparison to {\em ab initio} molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on density functional theory, MD simulations using the classical model lead to generally reliable descriptions of interfacial properties, such as the density distribution of water molecules. Water molecules in close contact with the LCO surface form a strongly adsorbed layer, which leads to a free energy barrier for the absorption of polar or charged molecules to the LCO surface. Moreover, due to the strong hydrogen bonding interactions with the LCO surface, the first water layer forms an interface that exhibits hydrophobic characters, leading to favorable adsorption of non-polar molecules to the interface. Therefore, despite its highly polar nature, the LCO (001) surface binds not only polar/charged but also non-polar solutes. As an application, the model is used to analyze the adsorption of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and its molecular components to the LCO (001) surface in water. The results suggests that recently observed redox activity of NADH at the LCO/water interface was due to the co-operativity between the ribose component, which drives binding to the LCO surface, and the nicotinamide moiety, which undergoes oxidation. 
    more » « less
  4. The growing interest in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) is driven by scarcity and the rising costs of lithium, coupled with the urgent need for scalable and sustainable energy storage solutions. Among various cathode materials, layered transition metal oxides have emerged as promising candidates due to their structural similarity to lithium-ion battery (LIB) counterparts and their potential to deliver high energy density at reduced costs. However, significant challenges remain, including limited capacity at high charge/discharge rates and structural instability during extended cycling. Addressing these issues is critical for advancing SIB technology toward industrial applications, particularly for large-scale energy storage systems. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of layered sodium transition metal oxides, focusing on their structural properties, electrochemical performance, and degradation mechanisms. Special attention is given to the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to their instability, such as structural phase transitions, and cationic/anionic redox behavior. Additionally, recent advancements in material design strategies, including doping, surface modifications, and composite formation, are discussed to highlight the progress toward enhancing the stability and performance of these materials. This work aims to bridge the knowledge gaps and inspire further innovations in the development of high-performance cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. 
    more » « less
  5. Nanoscale complex metal oxides have transformed how technology is used around the world. A ubiquitous example is the class of electroreactive cathodes used in Li-ion batteries, found in portable electronics and electric cars. Lack of recycling infrastructure and financial drivers contribute to improper disposal, and ultimately, introduction of these materials into the environment. Outside of sealed operational conditions, it has been demonstrated that complex metal oxides can transform in the environment, and cause negative biological impact through leaching of cations into aqueous phases. Using a combined DFT and thermodynamics methodology, insights into the mechanism and driving forces of cation release can be studied at the molecular-level. Here, we describe design principles that can be drawn from previous collaborative research on complex metal oxide dissolution of the Li(Ni y Mn z Co 1−y−z )O 2 family of materials, and go on to posit ternary complex metal oxides in the delafossite structure type with controlled release behavior. Using equistoichiometric formulations in the delfossite structure, we use DFT and thermodynamics to model cation release. The release trends are discussed in terms of lattice stability, solution chemistry/solubility limits, and electronic/magnetic properties. Intercalation voltages are calculated and discussed as a predictive metric for potential functionality of the model materials. 
    more » « less