Nanofer ZVI: Morphology, Particle Characteristics, Kinetics, and Applications

Abstract EN

Nanofer zerovalent iron (nanofer ZVI) is a new and innovative nanomaterial capable of removing organic as well as inorganic contaminants in water.

It displays a decrease in agglomeration, when it is coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).

TEOS imparts an increase in reactivity and stability to nanofer ZVI.

Characteristics of nanofer ZVI were determined using scanning electron microscope/electron dispersive spectroscope (SEM/EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Nanoparticle size varied from 20 to 100 nm and its surface area was in the range of 25–30 m2g−1.

The present study examined its structure before and after kinetic experiments.

Kinetic experiments indicated that adsorption of heavy metals [Pb (II), Cd (II), and Cu (II)] and TCE is very rapid during the initial step which is followed by a much slower second step.

Removal rates of 99.7% for Pb (II), 99.2% for Cd (II), 99.9% for Cu (II), and 99.9% for TCE were achieved in less than 180 minutes.

Lagergren models (LM), liquid film diffusion model (LFDM), and interparticle diffusion model (IDM) were used to understand the removal mechanism associated with nanofer ZVI.

In this study, interactions of nanofer ZVI with individual metals as well as TCE are examined.