title: Intrinsic properties of cupric oxide nanoparticles enable effective filtration of arsenic from water.
abstract: The contamination of arsenic in human drinking water supplies is a serious global health concern. Despite multiple years of research, sustainable arsenic treatment technologies have yet to be developed. This study demonstrates the intrinsic abilities of cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NP) towards arsenic adsorption and the development of a point-of-use filter for field application. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments were used to examine adsorption, desorption, and readsorption of aqueous arsenite and arsenate by CuO-NP. Field experiments were conducted with a point-of-use filter, coupled with real-time arsenic monitoring, to remove arsenic from domestic groundwater samples. The CuO-NP were regenerated by desorbing arsenate via increasing pH above the zero point of charge. Results suggest an effective oxidation of arsenite to arsenate on the surface of CuO-NP. Naturally occurring arsenic was effectively removed by both as-prepared and regenerated CuO-NP in a field demonstration of the point-of-use filter. A sustainable arsenic mitigation model for contaminated water is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Trihydro Corporation, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001151:Arsenic / Q000737:chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D060587:Groundwater / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D001151:Arsenic; C030973:cupric oxide