Reduction of hexavalent chromium mediated by micron- and nano-scale zero-valent metallic particles.
A variety of zero-valent metals (Al(0), Cu(0), Fe(0), Mg(0), Ni(0), Si(0) and Zn(0)), and Cu(0) and Fe(0) nano-sized particles were evaluated for reactivity towards the reduction of Cr(VI) in a surfactant preparation (Tween 20) under a selection of reaction conditions. At circum neutral pHs, a rapid inactivation of the surface was observed for almost all of the tested metals and complete reduction of Cr(VI) was achieved at acidic pH only by using Cu(0), Fe(0), Mg(0) or Zn(0). A considerable increase in reactivity (up to 100-fold) was observed for reductive remediation with nano-sized particles. The use of a solid support as a dispersant and stabilizer circumvented the tendency of freshly prepared nano-particles to either react with surrounding media or agglomerate, resulting in the formation of much larger flocs and appreciable loss in reactivity. The formation of clusters by polymeric structures provided an extra protection of the nano-particle surface with a striking improvement in their reactivity mainly at more alkaline conditions. Therefore the incorporation of an innocuous stabilizer can substantially enhance the stability of nano-particles for environmental transformations.
Rivero-Huguet
Mario
M
Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qc, Canada H9X 3V9.
Marshall
William D
WD
D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
D011136:Polysorbates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D002857:Chromium