______________________________________________________________


Zero-valent  iron nanostructures: synthesis, characterization and application

Journal of Environment & Biotechnology Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, Pages 1-10, January 2018

Maha M. El-Shafei, Ahmed Hamdy, M. M. Hefny

VIEW FULL TEXT IN PDF


ABSTRACT

In this study, nano-scale zero valent iron (nZVI) was synthesized in the ethanol medium by reduction of ferric iron using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent under atmospheric conditions. The synthesized iron nanoparticles are mainly in zero valent oxidation state and remain without significant oxidation for weeks. A methodical characterization of nZVI was carried out using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV and FTIR studies. The acquired iron nanoparticles consist of a zero valent core embracing a rest oxide shell. The iron nanoparticles diameter was predominantly in the range of 10-100 nm. The laboratory synthesized nZVI particles was examined for methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency from aqueous solution in relation to the contact time, dye concentration and temperature. The increase in the contact time and temperature enhanced the dye decolorization. The degradation decreased from 91.7 to 72.0% on increasing the concentration of dye from 10 to 70 mg/L. These findings elucidated the rapid removal of MB by nZVI and the feature of the synthesized nZVI particles to treat MB contaminated wastewater.
______________________________________________________________