Abstract

Surfactants are known to enhance the degradation of halogenated organics by nanoscale zerovalent iron (n-ZVI) or n-ZVI-based bimetallic particles, but the mechanism of the promotion is not well understood. In this study, we used nanoscale Ag/Fe particles (n-Ag/Fe) to degrade 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) in different surfactant solutions. The results show that the nonionic surfactant TX-100 had the best promoting effect, which might be attributed to the decrease in particle agglomeration and improvement of mass transfer efficiency after the adsorption of TX-100 on n-Ag/Fe. The distribution analysis of BDE-47 in solid and liquid phases indicates that when the concentration of TX-100 in aqueous solution was above critical micelle concentration, BDE-47 started to dissolve in the liquid phase. Thus, TX-100 micelles can enhance the mass transfer efficiency of BDE-47. However, a too high concentration of TX-100 (above 1.0 mM) would influence the promotion effect of BDE-47 degration, which might be attributed to the excessive and thicker micelles of TX-100 hindering the contact between BDE-47 and n-Ag/Fe. We also studied the degradation pathway of BDE-47 and its products, and found that surfactants did not change the degradation pathway of BDE-47.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.