Enhanced Transport and Transformation of Zerovalent Nanoiron in Clay Using Direct Electric Current

Gomes, Helena I.; Dias-Ferreira, Celia; Ribeiro, Alexandra B.; Pamukcu, Sibel

Enhanced Transport and Transformation of Zerovalent Nanoiron in Clay Using Direct Electric Current

2013

Gomes, Helena I. | Dias-Ferreira, Celia | Ribeiro, Alexandra B. | Pamukcu, Sibel

One of the major obstacles to zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) application in soil and groundwater remediation is the limited transport, especially in low-permeability soils. In this study, direct current (constant potential of 5.0 V) was used to enhance polymer-coated nZVI mobility in different porous media, including a bed of glass beads and kaolin clay. The tests were conducted using a modified electrophoretic cell and with nZVI concentrations typical of field applications (4 g L-1). Experimental results indicate that the use of direct current can enhance the transport of the polymer-modified nanoparticles when compared with natural diffusion in low permeability or surface neutral porous medium. The applied electric field appeared to enhance the oxidation-reduction potential, creating a synergistic effect of nZVI usage with electrokinetics. Aggregation of the nanoparticles, observed near the injection point, remained unresolved. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

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