Iron oxyhydroxides are commonly found in natural aqueous systems as nanoscale particles, where they can act as effective sorbents for dissolved metals due to their natural reactivity, small size and high suface area, allowing them to sequester ions from aqueous systems.  These properties make nanoscale iron oxyhydroxides a relevant possibility for remediation of water supplies contaminated with dissolved metals.  However, natural geochemical processes, such as changes in ionic strength, pH, and temperature, cause these particles to aggregate, thus affecting their sorption capabilities and remediation potential.  Synthetic nanoparticles were subjected to varying aggregation conditions and characterized using BET surface area analysis, dynamic light scattering, and x-ray diffraction.  The synthetic nanoparticle aggregates were then used in Zn(II) and Cu(II) adsorption and desorption trials at varying salinities representative of the transition from fresh to seawater to compare their metal uptake and retention as a function of aggregation state and salinity.

Aggregation of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles as a function of pH, ionic strength, and temperature and its effect on metal ion retention

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.