Degradation of tetrachloromethane and tetrachloroethene by Ni/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles

Abstract

The study investigated the potential of nanoscale Ni/Fe bimetallic particles reduction for carbon tetrachloride (CT) and tetrachloroethene (PCE). BET specific surface areas of the laboratory synthesized Ni/Fe (2% wt.) particle, with diameter on the order of 20-60nm, was approximately 52.61m 2/g. Batch studies demonstrated that rapid transformations of PCE and CT were achieved with nanoscale Ni/Fe particles. The degradation process appeared to be pseudo-first-order. Values of the surface area normalized rate coefficients (KSA) of PCE and CT for the reaction with nano Ni/Fe were 2.068mL/(m2h), 10.08mL/(m2h), respectively. This indicated that the degradation rate of CT was about 5 times larger than that of PCE under comparable environmental condition. Significant amounts of DCM were detected for the reaction with CT unlike the PCE transformation where ethane was the only end-product, amount to 103% of the initial PCE carbon. Both DCM (∼15%) and methane (∼27%) were the major end products for CT reaction. Based on the rapid rate of degradation and no or less chlorinated byproducts, the nanoscale particles technology offered great opportunities for both fundamental research and technological application for remediation of contaminated ground water. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.