Synthesis of Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron Particle and Its Application to Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Solutions

초록

Zerovalent iron (ZVI) is one of the most commonly used metallic reducing agents for the treatment of toxic contaminants in wastewater. Traditional ZVIs are less effective than nanoscale ZVI (nZVI) due to prolonged reaction time. However, the reactivity can be significantly increased by reducing the size of ZVI particles to nanoscale. In this study, nZVI particles were synthesized under laboratory condition and their efficiency in removing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions were compared with commercially available ZVI particles. The results showed that the synthesized nZVI particles (SnZVI) reduced >99% of Cr(VI) at the application rate of 0.2% (w/v), while commercial nZVI (CnZVI) particles resulted in 59.6% removal of Cr(VI) at the same application rate. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) and energy dispersive spectra (EDS) of the nZVI particles revealed the formation of Fe-Cr hydroxide complex after reaction. Overall, the SnZVI particles can be used in treating chromium contaminated wastewater.

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