Capacity assessment of carbon-based nanoparticles in stabilizing degraded soils

Abstract

Nano particles were already being used in various sectors like engineering, industry, information technology and security; and have gained attention in field of environment for pollution remediation and soil quality improvement since last decades. It was the need of hour to investigate nano materials to improve soil quality sustainably. In this scenario, present study was designed and conducted to check the capacity of carbon based nano fibers and nano tubes to stabilize degraded soils. Study investigated that carbon nano fibers and carbon nano tubes caused decrease in soil specific gravity (g/cm3) from 2.6 to 2.53 and 2.54, respectively in presence of 0.2% of selected carbon nano materials. However, increase in soil pH value from 6.9 to 7.2 was observed with this improvement. Soil dry density increased from 1.48g/cm3to 1.99g/cm3 in presence of 0.05% of carbon nano fibers and from 1.48g/cm3to 1.49g/cm3 in the presence of 0.05% of multiwalled carbon nano tubes. Both carbon nano fibers and multiwall carbon nano tubes enhanced soil plastic and liquid limits. Results concluded that carbon nano fibers and carbon nano tubes have good potential in stabilizing degraded soils.