Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Engineering Science
Program
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor
Dr. Jose Herrera
Second Advisor
Dr. Denis O’Carroll
Abstract
The potential of nanoscale zero valent iron (NZVI) particles for dechlorination of trichloroethylene has been studied. Parameters such as iron loading and contaminant concentration have been evaluated. NZVI particles were synthesized by reduction of an iron precursor salt using sodium borohydride and have been characterized in terms of particles size and size distribution using electron microscopy. The surface potential, BET surface area and surface composition of particles have been also characterized. Reactivity batch tests indicate pseudo-zero order kinetics for the initial reaction stages at high TCE concentration. Reactivity studies and photoelectron spectroscopy analysis on the iron nanoparticles indicate that the formation of an oxide layer is responsible for a decrease in dechlorination activity. The addition of a very small amount of a second metal (Pd) dramatically improves dechlorination activity; complete and fast reduction of TCE is observed in these cases.
Recommended Citation
Shah, Ruchi, "ZERO VALENT IRON NANOPARTICLES: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND REACTIVITY FOR DECHLORINATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4450.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4450