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2003 Progress Report: Nanoscale Bimetallic Particles for In Situ Remediation
EPA Grant Number: R829625Title: Nanoscale Bimetallic Particles for In Situ Remediation
Investigators: Zhang, Wei-xian
Institution: Lehigh University
EPA Project Officer: Savage, Nora
Project Period: January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2005 (Extended to April 30, 2006)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004
Project Amount: $300,000
RFA: Exploratory Research: Nanotechnology (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Nanotechnology
Description:
Objective:The objective of this research project is to research and develop the nanoscale bimetallic particle technology for in situ remediation.
Progress Summary:Our work in the past year further testifies that nanoscale iron particles are effective for the transformation and detoxification of a wide variety of common environmental contaminants. The iron nanoparticle technology based upon our laboratory research has been applied in several field projects.
Major progress in the laboratory studies includes:
- Understanding the kinetics and reaction mechanisms with organochlorine pesticides.
- Understanding the rate and extent of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] reduction and immobilization using nanoscale iron particles.
- Initiation of preliminary work on synthesis and characterization of porous iron particles.
We have created an entirely new class of zero-valent iron particles. Hollow iron spheres with micro- and nano-scale pores were prepared using template-directed synthesis. Iron nanoparticles were deposited on the surfaces of polymeric resin by reductive precipitation. The resin was subsequently removed by heat treatment. Specific surface area of the resulting iron spheres (0.4 mm diameter) was 2,100 m2/kg, which is 1,250 times larger than the theoretical specific surface area of solid iron particles at the same size. Tests further suggest that the iron spheres are effective for the reduction of several common environmental pollutants including azo dyes and chlorinated aliphatic compounds. The reaction rate per unit of iron mass was approximately 1,461 times higher than that of solid iron particles of the same size. The nanoporous iron may have broad potential in groundwater remediation and industrial waste treatment.
Our work also has attracted significant media attention with reports appearing in many newspapers and magazines, including:
National Science Foundation. Nanoscale iron could help cleanse the environment.
September 3, 2002, NSF-PR 03-94. http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0394.htm (press release that includes PI’s research) 
.
Goho A. Nanosponges: plastic particles pick up pollutants. Science News 2004;165(8):116-117 (February 21 magazine article includes PI’s research).
National Science and Technology Council. National Nanotechnology Initiative
(NNI). Research and Development Supporting the Next Industrial Revolution.
Supplement to the President’s FY 2004 Budget. 2004, p. 33 (http://www.nano.gov/html/res/fy04-pdf/fy04-main.html ).
2003–The year in technology. NASA Tech Briefs 2003;27(12):21.
Mead T. Iron nanodusts zaps tricky pollutants. New Scientist, September 20, 2003, p. 22 (magazine article that includes PI’s research).
Ironing out the water shortage problem. Prism, November 2003;13(3)
(http://www.prism-magazine.org/nov03/briefings.cfm,
magazine article that includes PI’s research ).
Svitil K. Got pollution? Get rust. Discover Magazine, December 2003;24(12)
(http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-03/rd/got-pollution-get-rust/,
magazine article on PI’s research )
.
Got filthy water? Don’t worry, the nano things will clean up. Popular Science, September 2003, pp. 46 (magazine article that includes PI’s research).
Tristram C. Nanotech cleans up. MIT Technology Review, June 18, 2003 (http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_tristram061803.asp, online article that includes PI’s research
Future Activities:The remaining tasks will be completed in the first half of 2005. We have obtained samples of contaminated soil and water from several sites containing TCE and Cr(VI). Lab studies will be conducted to verify the efficacy of iron nanoparticles to treat the water and soil samples. Several publications are under preparation. We expect two graduate students will graduate at the end of this project.
Journal Articles on this Report: 6 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 117 publications | 21 publications in selected types | All 15 journal articles |
| Type | Citation | ||
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Cao J, Elliott D, Zhang WX. Perchlorate reduction by nanoscale iron particles. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2005;7(4-5):499–506. |
R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) GR832225 (2005) GR832225 (2006) |
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Elliott D, Zhang W. Transformation of lindane with nano iron particles. Journal of Contaminant Hydrogeology (submitted, 2004). |
R829625 (2003) |
not available |
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Glazier R, Venkatakrishnan R, Gheorghiu F, Walata L, Nash R, Zhang W. Nanotechnology takes root. Civil Engineering 2003;73(5):64-69. |
R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) |
not available |
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Lien HL, Zhang WX. Hydrodechlorination of chlorinated ethanes by nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles. Journal of Environmental Engineering 2005;131(1):4-10. |
R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) GR832225 (2005) GR832225 (2006) |
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Masciangioli T, Zhang W. Environmental technologies at the nanoscale. Environmental Science and Technology 2003;37(5):102A-108A. |
R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) |
not available |
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Zhang WX. Nanoscale iron particles for environmental remediation: an overview. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2003;5(3-4):323-332. |
R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) |
not available |
water, groundwater, soil, volatile organic compound,
VOC, dense nonaqueous phase liquid, DNAPL, solvents, heavy metals, nanoparticles,
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Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Remediation, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Restoration, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Physics, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, New/Innovative technologies, industrial wastewater, membrane technology, membranes, nanotechnology, environmentally applicable nanoparticles, environmental sustainability, waste reduction, hazardous organics, transition metal carbides, nanocatalysts, contaminated aquifers, detoxification, aquifer remediation design, metal removal, groundwater pollution, remediation technologies, membrane-based nanostructured metals, sustainability, reductive detoxification, groundwater contamination, ultrafiltration, reductive dechlorination, catalytic studies, groundwater remediation, degradation rates, innovative technologies, pollution prevention, in situ remediation, reductive degradation of hazardous organics, recycle, bimetallic particles
Relevant Websites:
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0394.htm
http://www.prism-magazine.org/nov03/briefings.cfm
http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-03/rd/got-pollution-get-rust/
Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
Original Abstract
Final Report