This presentation will introduce one-dimensional nanomaterials that we have been developing for various applications over past years. Two main types of materials will be discussed – nanofibers of inorganic oxides and nanotubes of TiO₂.
In the first part, the first comprehensive toxicity study of Al₂O₃, SiO₂, ZrO₂, TiO₂ and WO₃ nanofibers effects in cultured epithelial A549 cells will be presented. The nanofibers were produced by centrifugal spinning from suitable spinning solutions and have an average diameter in the sub-micrometer range. At first, we characterized the nanofibers for their morphological, compositional and structural properties. Then, we estimated the biological effects of nanofibers in pulmonary epithelial A549 cells comparing them with biological effects of Al₂O₃, SiO₂, ZrO₂, TiO₆ and WO₃ nanoparticles. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as a positive control. The cells were treated with 1, 10 and 100 µg.mL^-1 concentrations of a nanomaterial for 24 and 48 h. The dehydrogenase activity and glutathione levels were determined in cells as markers of cell injury. Experimental details and results of these investigations will be presented and discussed (1).
In the second part, the comprehensive toxicity study of TiO₂ nanotubes, prepared by anodic oxidation of Ti and followed by various post-treatments, will be presented.

Keywords: fibers; nanoparticles; nanotubes; toxicity; A549 cells