Enhanced dechlorination of trichloroethylene by membrane-supported Pd-coated iron nanoparticles

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) supported iron and Pd/Fe nanoparticles were used for dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) from water Solution and microemulsion methods were used to synthesize the iron nanoparticles. Pd/Fe bimetallic particles were prepared by postcoating Pd on the prepared iron nanoparticles. These materials were then dispersed in CA solution, which was used to prepare the membrane-supported nanoparticles. TEM imaging confirmed that the iron and Pd/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles were similar to 10 nm in diameter The results of dechlorination studies showed that the surface composition of the Pd/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles (microemulsion method) significantly affected the observed reduction rate constant. In addition, the rate constant was a nonlinear function of metal loading and initial TCE concentration. A comparative study for the Pd/Fe (Pd 1.9 wt %) nanoparticles from solution and microemulsion methods showed that the nanoparticles formed by the latter method gave superior performance for the dechlorination of TCE. (C) 2008 American institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog.