Encapsulation of nZVI particles using a Gum Arabic stabilized oil-in-water emulsion

Abstract

Stabilization of reactive iron particles against aggregation and sedimentation is a critical engineering aspect for successful application of nZVI (nanoscale zero valent iron) within the contaminated subsurface environment. In this work we explore the stability and reactivity of a new encapsulation approach that relies upon Gum Arabic to stabilize high quantities of nZVI (∼12 g/L) in the dispersed phase of a soybean oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion is kinetically stable due to substantial repulsive barriers to droplet–droplet induced deformation and subsequent coalescence. Sedimentation time scales were found to be on the order of hours ( τ = 4.77 ± 0.02 h). Thus, the use of Gum Arabic represents an advance in stabilizing nZVI-in-oil-in-water emulsions. nZVI within the emulsion was shown to be reactive with both TCE degradation and H 2 production observed. Degradation rates were observed to be on the same order of magnitude as those reported for less stable, aqueous suspensions of nZVI. TCE consumption within the emulsion was described with an equivalent aqueous phase rate coefficient of ∼5 × 10 −4 L aq/m 2 h.