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Magnesium-Based Corrosion Nano-Cells For Reductive Transformation Of Contaminants
Citation:
AGARWAL, S., S. R. AL-ABED, AND D. D. DIONYSIOU. Magnesium-Based Corrosion Nano-Cells For Reductive Transformation Of Contaminants. Chapter 23, N. Savage, M. Diallo, J. Duncan, A. Street, and R. Sustich (ed.), Nanotechnology Applications For Clean Water. William Andrew Publishing, Norwich, NY, , 337-345, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
To determine if enhanced corrosion-based palladium/magnesium (Pd/Mg) bimetallic systems were effective in rapid and complete dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Description:
Magnesium, with its potential to reduce a variety of aqueous contaminants, unique self-limiting corrosion behavior affording long active life times, natural abundance, low cost, and environmentally friendly nature, promises to be an effective technology. However, nanoparticles of Mg are difficult to produce by reduction of its aqueous salts owing to the low reduction potential of Mg2+. Alternatively, a top-down synthesis pathway of breaking down micro-sized Mg to nanosized particles in an inert atmosphere may be used. In the synthesis of Pd/Mg using nanotechniques, depositing nanoscale Pd islands onto micro-sized Mg substrates produces Pd islands with high catalytic activity at low Pd content, reduced bioavailability of Pd during the application of Pd/Mg systems, and more selective and stable Pd islands. Upon corrosion during application to aqueous systems, Mg transforms to its oxides and hydroxides, which have been reported to have anti-biofouling properties. Also, nanocrystalline MgO is known to be an efficient adsorbent for acid gases, chlorocarbons, organophosphorus compounds, alcohols, and other organics. Further, the high oxidation potential of Mg can be exploited by coupling it with a number of metals (Ni, Ag, Cu, etc.) to provide an array of efficient corrosion nano-cells. In wider environmental terms, Mg-based composites such as Pd/Mg, Ni/Mg intermetallics are being explored for hydrogen storage toward sustainable solutions to the energy crisis.
