Mechanochemically ball-milled zerovalent iron and ferrous composite for effective removal of various metal(loid)s from water

As a clean, fast, and efficient strategy for chemical synthesis, mechanochemical ball-milling approach has been developed promisingly to prepare functional materials for water treatment. Based on our previous findings that both the accelerated corrosion and facilitated electron-transfer are crucial for contaminants removal by zerovalent iron (ZVI), ball-milled FeCl2 and ZVI (Fe2+-ZVI(bm)) was synthesized for metal(loid)s sequestration in this study. The results showed the complete removal of Se(VI) was obtained by Fe2+-ZVI(bm) and there was no residual Fe2+ in the solution after Se(VI) removal. Compared to other enhanced-ZVI techniques, Fe2+-ZVI(bm) showed evident superiorities for Se(VI) removal in many aspects, including removal rate, removal capacity, utilization ratio of reductants, electron efficiency of reductants, specific removal capacity, adaptability of initial pH, and operation cost. The influence of storage condition on the performance of Fe2+-ZVI(bm) was examined and the performance of Fe2+-ZVI(bm) for Se(VI) removal could be ensured when it was sealed-stored in air. The rates and capacities of various metal(loid)s (V(V), Cr(VI), Cu(II)-EDTA, As(III), As(V), Se(IV), Sb(III)-tartrate, Sb(V), and U (VI)) removal by Fe2+-ZVIbm were increased by 2.2-32.4 times and 2.8-11.6 times, respectively, compared to those by pristine ZVI. In the semi-continuous flow reactor, Fe2+-ZVI(bm) synthesized with industrial-grade ZVI powders displayed advantages on the removal of target contaminants (V, P, Se, As) in two practical wastewaters, further revealing its great potential for application.

Automated summary

Mechanochemical ball-milling approach, as a clean and efficient strategy for chemical synthesis, has been developed promisingly for the preparation of functional materials for water treatment. Fe2+-ZVI(bm) synthesized through this approach showed evident superiorities for the removal of Se(VI) and other metal(loid)s, and demonstrated great potential for practical wastewater treatment.