Zero-valent iron-aluminum for the fast and effective U(VI) removal

In this study, zero-valent iron-aluminum (NZVI-Al) bimetallic particles formed from Al(0) core and nano scale Fe(0) shell were synthesized for highly effective U(VI) removal. The NZVI-Al bimetallic particles were characterized by SEM-EDS, FT-IR, XRD, and XPS. Batch experiment demonstrated that the reactivity of NZVI-Al bimetal was greatly improved relative to single zero-valent iron or aluminum. The enhanced U(VI) removal capacity up to 575 mg/g (but not to saturation at pH 5.0 and T=30 degrees C) could be attributed to stronger reduction ability of NZVI-Al from the galvanic cell effect. XRD and XPS results indicated that U(VI) was immobilized via the reduction as UO2(s) and surface sorption as U(VI). The NZVI-Al bimetallic particles are promising for further testing to achieve the rapid and effective removal of U(VI) from polluted water. (C) 2018 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.