Science Inventory

Impact of Nanoparticles and Natural Organic Matter on the Removal of Organic Pollutants by Activated Carbon Adsorption

Citation:

Jasper, A., H. H. Salih, G. A. Sorial, R. Sinha, R. Krishnan, AND C. L. Patterson. Impact of Nanoparticles and Natural Organic Matter on the Removal of Organic Pollutants by Activated Carbon Adsorption. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Larchmont, NY, 27(1):85-93, (2010).

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Description:

Isotherm experiments evaluating trichloroethylene (TCE) adsorption onto powdered activated carbon (PAC) were conducted in the presence and absence of three commercially available nanomaterials— iron oxide (Fe2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2). Isotherm experiments were also conducted in the presence and absence of natural organic matter in the form of humic acid, to more closely model natural water conditions. Nanoparticles at two concentration levels (0.5 and 1.0 mg/L for Fe2O3 and TiO2, and 5.0 and 10 mg/L for SiO2) were considered. Particle size distribution of the nanoparticle solutions was analyzed as a function of time in order to determine the nanoparticle size range of each solution. Aggregation of Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles was noticed, while none was observed for SiO2 nanoparticles. Adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted at three initial TCE concentrations, two nanoparticle concentrations, and with varying amounts of PAC. Isotherm data showed a higher degree of TCE adsorption in the presence of Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles, regardless of concentration. Both Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles alone were observed to act as adsorption sites for TCE by removing up to 60% of TCE from the aqueous phase. Silica appeared to have no impact on TCE adsorption at either of the concentrations evaluated, except in the presence of humic acid