Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and are known to be of the utmost importance by both health and climate organizations. Nano particle induced ice nucleation microphysical processes are recognized to be of great value in forecasting the level of the Earth’s climate change. We synthesized kaolin-maghemite-Hg2Cl2 composite, as one of a highly efficient and novel ice-nucleating material. A kaolin-iron oxide composite (KaFe) was synthesized to have efficient and instantaneous reactions with aqueous mercury salts. Only HgCl2, among the different mercury salts, reacted with KaFe and generated highly efficient ice nuclei HgKaFe. When added to water, HgKaFe froze within narrow and significantly warm temperatures (− 6.6 degree C to − 4.7 degree C). To understand the mechanism of the mixed cloud formation via immersion freezing, we executed number of experiments using a suite of complementary techniques, at various levels of radiation intensity, temperature, pH, emerging metal oxides, natural & anthropogenic gases (NO2 & O3) for KaFe in the context of ice nucleation microphysics. We also disclosed a novel, cost-effective, instantaneous and sustainable technology for mercury recycling, with the maximum observed Hg uptake capacity using the great affinity of KaFe with Hg(II). The reduction of Hg(II) to Hg(I) by the nano-trap KaFe and Hg(I) to Hg(0) by Fe granules were the key driving forces behind such process of recycling. This study opens a door to broaden the field of effective ice nuclei for a wide range of compounds, never considered as ice nuclei until now, expanding the understanding of cloud formation & climate change. Furthermore, these new materials may likely serve as efficient sustainable materials for mercury remediation.

Iron-oxide nanocomposites for ice nucleation and environmental remediation

2019 Spring National Meeting

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