Nano-sized zerovalent iron (nZVI) has been demonstrated to be an effective remediation route for a variety of environmental contaminants that are susceptible to chemical reduction, such as hexavalent chromium. Investigation of methods by which its reactivity can be controlled or moderated could expand the range of effectiveness. In this work, nZVI was incorporated into sol-gel matrices along with metalloporphyrins, which act as electron shuttles, and the reactivity towards chromium reduction was tested. Cobalt complexes of uroporphyrin and protoporphyrin IX (Co-Uro and Co-PPIX) each increased the reaction rates of the supported n-ZVI. Co-PPIX increased the reaction rate by over a factor of two when added to the supported n-ZVI at a n-ZVI:Co-PPIX ratio of 100:1. The addition of Co-Uro also increased the reaction rate, although not as much as the Co-PPIX addition. Overall, these formulations of reductants and electron shuttles supported in a versatile matrix.

Hexavalent chromium reduction by nano-zerovalent iron and metalloporphyrins in sol-gel matrices

246th National Meeting (2013)

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