Due to the high toxicity and carcinogenicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the contamination of soils by these pollutants has become a widespread environmental concern. However, the hydrophobic nature of PBDEs results in their strongly absorbing to soil, limiting their bioavailability. In this study, Water solubility of BDE-15 by nonionic surfactant (Tween 80), anionic surfactant (SDS), cationic surfactant (CTAB) and Cationic Gemini surfacatant (CG) as well as their combinations (CG/Tween 80, CG/SDS, CG/CTAB) have been investigated and compared. The results showed that the solubility of BDE-15 increased in a linear fashion with surfactant concentration above the CMC; the solubilization capacities of the single surfactants for BDE-15 quantified by molar solubility ratio (MSR) and micelle partion coefficients(Km) followed the order of: CG>CTAB>Tween 80>SDS. The mixed surfactant systems of CG/Tween 80, CG/SDS exhibited synergistic solubilization while the contrary results have been shown by CG/CTAB. These results provid valuable information for the selection of surfactants for solubilizing PBDEs and decreasing remediation cost.

Solubilization of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by single and mixed Gemini/conventional surfactants

247th National Meeting (2014)

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