Stabilization of Fe(0) nanoparticles with silica fume for enhanced transport and remediation of hexavalent chromium in water and soil.

Effective in situ remediation of Cr(VI) in groundwater requires the successful delivery of reactive iron particles to the subsurface. Fe(0) nanoparticles (20-110 nm diameter) supported on silica fume were synthesized by borohydride reduction of an aqueous iron salt in the presence of a support material. The experimental result showed that attachment of Fe(0) nanoparticles on the commercial available sub-micrometer silica fume prevented them from aggregation while maintaining the particle reactivity.