Iron-Based Nanoparticles for Toxic Organic Degradation: Silica Platform and Green Synthesis.

Iron and iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are finding wide applications for the remediation of various toxic chloro-organic compounds (such as trichloroethylene, TCE), via reductive and oxidative processes. In this study, Fe NPs (30-50 nm) are synthesized by reduction from ferric ions immobilized (by ion exchange) on a platform (two types of sulfonated silica particles), in order to prevent the NP agglomeration. Next, the Fe NPs are oxidized and their effectiveness for the oxidative dechlorination of TCE via the heterogeneous decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to OH• on the surface of the iron oxide NPs was demonstrated.

Iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis in aqueous and membrane systems for oxidative degradation of trichloroethylene from water.

The potential for using hydroxyl radical (OH) reactions catalyzed by iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) to remediate toxic organic compounds was investigated. Iron oxide NPs were synthesized by controlled oxidation of iron NPs prior to their use for contaminant oxidation (by HO addition) at near-neutral pH values. Cross-linked polyacrylic acid (PAA) functionalized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membranes were prepared by in situ polymerization of acrylic acid inside the membrane pores.

Nanostructured membranes for enzyme catalysis and green synthesis of nanoparticles.

Macroporous membranes functionalized with ionizable macromolecules provide promising applications in high capacity toxic metal capture, nanoparticle syntheses, and catalysis. Our low-pressure membrane approach has good reaction and separation selectivities, which are tunable by varying pH, ionic strength, or pressure. The sustainable green chemistry approach under ambient conditions and the evaluation of a reactive poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is described.

Iron-Functionalized Membranes for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Reactions.

Membrane-based separation processes have been used extensively for drinking water purification, wastewater treatment, and numerous other applications. More recent developments in membrane functionalization have made the use of membrane science important in diverse fields, from tunable separations to catalysis. The focus of this work is to create a common membrane platform for the incorporation of technologies capable of degrading target pollutants.