High Degradation of Trichloroethylene in Water by Nanostructured MeNPs@CALB Biohybrid Catalysts

Noelia Losada-Garcia,Jose M Palomo,Alba Rodriguez-Otero

doi:10.3390/catal10070753

Noelia Losada-Garcia, Jose M Palomo + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10070753

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Abstract

In this study, a methodology was developed for the rapid degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) in distilled water and room temperature without the production of toxic chlorinated by-products. This process was carried out using bionanohybrids of different metals (Pd, Fe, Cu and Zn) obtained by enzyme–metal coordination called MeNPs@CALB, which present different metal species and nanoparticle sizes. The Cu2O@CALB biohybrid, which contained Cu2O nanoparticles, showed excellent catalytic performance in TCE degradation by removing 95% (>125 ppm) in 10 min using 1.5 g/L of catalyst. On the other hand, in the degradation reaction of 1,1-DCE, Cu2O@CALB eliminated 94% (93 ppm) in 1 min. Cu2O@CALB exhibited excellent stability and recyclability under sustainable conditions, maintaining its effectiveness in more than 90% for three cycles.

Highlights

Volatile Chlorinated Organic Compounds (VCOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE) or1,1-Dichloroethylene (DCE) have been widely used as solvents in heavy industries as a degreasing agent for metals [1] and electronic components, chemical intermediate [2] and dry-cleaning facilities [3]
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Degradation Catalyzed by MeNPs@CALB Biohybrids
Of the different heterogeneous biohybrids was evaluated as catalysts for the removal of TCE by means of their complete degradation in aqueous medium at room temperature and in some cases using 10 mM of a green oxidant such as H2 O2 (33% v/v) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Volatile Chlorinated Organic Compounds (VCOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE) or1,1-Dichloroethylene (DCE) have been widely used as solvents in heavy industries as a degreasing agent for metals (before the 1990s) [1] and electronic components, chemical intermediate [2] and dry-cleaning facilities [3]. Volatile Chlorinated Organic Compounds (VCOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE) or. Chlorinated organic compounds have been frequently found in subsurface environments as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL) [4] and TCE is one of the most ubiquitous contaminants in soil and in contaminated groundwater [5] due to improper handling or accidental release during applications in industry [6]. Trichloroethylene is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [8]. The presence of chlorinated organic pollutants in groundwater has become the global ecological problem. Exposure of such pollutants threatens human health and can cause serious damage to the immune, nervous, and male systems [10]. Effective remediation and complete mineralization of TCE in aquifers is urgently required to reduce these effects [11]

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