Biological impact of nanoscale lithium intercalating complex metal oxides to model bacteriumB. subtilis

Abstract

The wide applications of lithium intercalating complex metal oxides in energy storage devices call for a better understanding of their environmental impact at the end of their life cycle. In this study, we examine the biological impact of a panel of nanoscale lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (LixNiyMnzCo1−y−zO2, 0 < x, y, z < 1, abbreviated to NMCs) to a model Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, in terms of cellular respiration and growth. A highly sensitive single-cell gel electrophoresis method is also applied for the first time to understand the genotoxicity of these nanomaterials to bacterial cells. Results from these assays indicate that the free Ni and Co ions released from the incongruent dissolution of the NMC material in B. subtilis growth medium induced both hindered growth and cellular respiration. More remarkably, the DNA damage induced by the combination of the two ions in solution is comparable to that induced by the NMC material, which suggests that the free Ni and Co ions are responsible for the toxicity observed. A material redesign by enriching Mn is also presented. The combined approaches of evaluating their impact on bacterial growth, respiration, and DNA damage at a single-cell level, as well as other phenotypical changes allows us to probe the nanomaterials and bacterial cells from a mechanistic prospective, and provides a useful means to an understanding of bacterial response to new potential environmental stressors.

Energy Storage Materials as Emerging Nano-contaminants

“…Thus, one important challenge is to understand whether there are unifying mechanisms of biological impact that span across different organisms, by understanding the molecular-level changes that NMC and related reactive nanoparticles induce in biological systems. For example, studies using the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative S. oneidensis both showed clear evidence of DNA damage induced by exposure to NMC . DNA damage in B. subtilis also was accompanied by changes in expression of genes characteristic of metal uptake, sporulation, oxidative stress, and DNA repair .…”

Environmental impacts, pollution sources and pathways of spent lithium-ion batteries

“…In fact, reducing the cobalt content and increasing Ni has been a key aspect of NMC battery development over the last few years, driven by safety considerations245,246 and global supply chain issues247,248 . Another study assessed the biological impact of NMC on a Gram-positive model bacterium, Bacillus subtilis249 . Growth and cellular respiration of the bacteria were inhibited significantly by free Ni 2+ and Co 2+ ions released from the incongruent dissolution of the NMC.…”

Nanotechnology for Targeted Detection and Removal of Bacteria: Opportunities and Challenges

“…This nanocomplex releases Co and Ni ions, which inhibit the growth of soil bacteria through interference with cellular respiration, damaging DNA, and enhancing sporulation. [ 140 ]…”