Grantee Research Project Results

2003 Progress Report: Nanoscale Bimetallic Particles for In Situ Remediation

EPA Grant Number: R829625
Title: Nanoscale Bimetallic Particles for In Situ Remediation
Investigators: Zhang, Wei-xian
Institution: Lehigh University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
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) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals

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 Exit (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 Exit ).
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 Exit ).
Svitil K. Got pollution? Get rust. Discover Magazine, December 2003;24(12) (http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-03/rd/got-pollution-get-rust/ Exit , 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/news/401959/nanotech-cleans-up/ Exit , 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 : 5 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views:	All 111 publications	20 publications in selected types	All 14 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Cao J, Elliott D, Zhang W-X. Perchlorate reduction by nanoscale iron particles. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2005;7(4-5):499-506.	R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) GR832225 (2005) GR832225 (2006) GR832225 (Final)	Full-text: CMS-Full Text PDF Exit Abstract: Springer-Abstract Exit
Journal Article	Glazier R, Venkatakrishnan R, Gheorghiu F, Walata L, Nash R, Zhang W-X. Nanotechnology takes roots. Civil Engineering-ASCE 2003;73(5):64-69.	R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final)	Abstract: ASCE Exit
Journal Article	Lien H-L, Zhang W-X. Hydrodechlorination of chlorinated ethanes by nanoscale Pd/Fe bimetallic particles. Journal of Environmental Engineering-ASCE 2005;131(1):4-10.	R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final) GR832225 (2005) GR832225 (2006) GR832225 (Final)	Full-text: National University of Kaohsiung-Full Text PDF Exit Abstract: ASCE-Abstract Exit
Journal Article	Masciangioli T, Zhang W-X. Environmental technologies at the nanoscale. Environmental Science & Technology 2003;37(5):102A-108A.	R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: ACS PDF Exit Abstract: ACS Exit
Journal Article	Zhang W-X. Nanoscale iron particles for environmental remediation: an overview. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2003;5(3-4):323-332.	R829625 (2002) R829625 (2003) R829625 (Final)	Full-text: Lehigh University Exit Abstract: Springer Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

water, groundwater, soil, volatile organic compound, VOC, dense nonaqueous phase liquid, DNAPL, solvents, heavy metals, nanoparticles,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Waste, Water, Remediation, Restoration, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, New/Innovative technologies, Physics, Environmental Engineering, sustainability, reductive dechlorination, metal removal, detoxification, membrane technology, membranes, ultrafiltration, pollution prevention, aquifer remediation design, innovative technologies, industrial wastewater, environmental sustainability, nanocatalysts, contaminated aquifers, groundwater contamination, remediation technologies, environmentally applicable nanoparticles, hazardous organics, transition metal carbides, groundwater remediation, nanotechnology, recycle, in situ remediation, acuatic ecosystems, waste reduction, membrane-based nanostructured metals, degradation rates, reductive detoxification, groundwater pollution, reductive degradation of hazardous organics, bimetallic particles

Relevant Websites:

http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0394.htm Exit
http://www.prism-magazine.org/nov03/briefings.cfm Exit
http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-03/rd/got-pollution-get-rust/ Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.