title: The effect of carbon type on arsenic and trichloroethylene removal capabilities of iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticle-impregnated granulated activated carbons.
abstract: This study investigates the impact of the type of virgin granular activated carbon (GAC) media used to synthesize iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticle-impregnated granular activated carbon (Fe-GAC) on its properties and its ability to remove arsenate and organic trichloroethylene (TCE) from water. Two Fe-GAC media were synthesized via a permanganate/ferrous ion synthesis method using bituminous and lignite-based virgin GAC. Data obtained from an array of characterization techniques (pore size distribution, surface charge, etc.) in correlation with batch equilibrium tests, and continuous flow modeling suggested that GAC type and pore size distribution control the iron (nanoparticle) contents, Fe-GAC synthesis mechanisms, and contaminant removal performances. Pore surface diffusion model calculations predicted that lignite Fe-GAC could remove ∼6.3 L g(-1) dry media and ∼4 L g(-1) dry media of water contaminated with 30 μg L(-1) TCE and arsenic, respectively. In contrast, the bituminous Fe-GAC could remove only ∼0.2 L/g dry media for TCE and ∼2.8 L/g dry media for As of the same contaminated water. The results show that arsenic removal capability is increased while TCE removal is decreased as a result of Fe nanoparticle impregnation. This tradeoff is related to several factors, of which changes in surface properties and pore size distributions appeared to be the most dominant.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Technology, College of Technology and Innovation. Arizona State University-Polytechnic Campus, 6075 South Williams Campus Loop West, Mesa, AZ 85212, United States. Anne.M.Cooper@asu.edu
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Kiril D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hristovski
authors.forename: Teresia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Westerhoff
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sylvester
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D001151:Arsenic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002244:Carbon; D002606:Charcoal; D004058:Diffusion; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002606:Charcoal; D014241:Trichloroethylene; C021024:ferric hydroxide; D002244:Carbon; D001151:Arsenic