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The Implications of Fe2O3 and TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Removal of Trichloroethylene by Activated Carbon in the Presence and Absence of Humic Acid
Citation:
Salih, H., G. Sorial, C. Patterson, AND T. Speth. The Implications of Fe2O3 and TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Removal of Trichloroethylene by Activated Carbon in the Presence and Absence of Humic Acid. WATER, AIR, & SOIL POLLUTION. Springer, New York, NY, 226(4):10 pg, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
This study provides important information related to the use and stability of NPs in natural water and their impact on TCE removal by GAC.
Description:
The implications of Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on a granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorber and their impact on the removal of Trichloroethylene (TCE) were investigated in the presence of humic acid (HA). The surface charge of the GAC and NPs was obtained in the presence and absence of HA. The impact of NPs on TCE adsorption was tested by conducting TCE adsorption isotherms, kinetics and column breakthrough studies in the presence and absence of the NPs and HA. Specific surface area and pore size distribution of the fresh and the spent GAC were obtained. The interaction between the GAC and the NPs is governed by their surface charge. The presence of HA provided the GAC with a high negative charge. This charge generated a repulsive force between the GAC and the NPs. Due to the fast kinetics of TCE, no effect of NPs was observed during the isotherm studies. However, the amount of TCE removed in the kinetic and column experiments has increased in the presence of HA. This is due the adsorption of HA on the external GAC?s surface which increased the hydrophobicity of the GAC and altered the pores orientation causing more TCE to get trapped inside the GAC.
