Synergistic effect of nano zero-valent iron and cyclodextrins: A nano-structure for water purification

Abstract

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) is one of the most important nanostructure for degradative remediation of environmental contaminants. In our research, NZVI was for the first time functionalized with cyclodextrins (CD), recently considered as excellent, environmentally friendly and cheap absorbents of toxic pollutants. Functionalization of the nano zero-valent iron by CD, their derivatives and polymers, can not only improve the ZVI nanoparticles stability and dispersibility, but also can complex toxic contaminants inside the CD cavities that will be further reduced by NZVI to a less toxic products. By this, one of the largest obstacles in the NZVI field i.e. lack of NZVI selectivity could be overcome. Moreover, reactivity towards a recalcitrant non-polar compound, that under standard conditions is not very reactive with the NZVI alone, has been shown herein.