Abstract
In the current study, lignin, an abundant natural polymer, was dissolved in ethylene glycol and acidic H2O to form nanoscale lignin. Then, zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles were synthesized in nanoscale lignin, producing a nZVI/n-lignin composite, via the borohydride reduction method. The use of nZVI/n-lignin for environmental remediation was tested by the removal of methylene blue in aqueous solutions at room temperature. The nZVI/n-lignin composite achieved a higher methylene blue removal ratio than that achieved by traditional nZVIs. Moreover, its excellent dispersibility in water and stability against oxidation in the air were observed. The functions of the nanoscale lignin in the composite material are (1) prevention of further growth and aggregation of the nZVI nanoparticles, (2) protection of nZVI from serious oxidation by H2O/O2, and (3) allowing better dispersibility of nZVI in aqueous solutions. These three functions are important for the field applications of nZVI/n-lignin, namely, to travel long distances before making contact with environmental pollutants. The present method for producing nZVI/n-lignin is straightforward, and the combination of nZVI and lignin is an efficient and environmentally friendly material for environmental applications.
Highlights
The utilization of nanoscale zero-valent iron for in situ remediation of contaminated water and soil has been an active research area due to its low cost, high reactivity, good mobility, and environmental compatibility [1,2,3]
The synthesis of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) can be performed by top-down or bottom-up methods, such as the ball milling or lithography grinding of bulk iron materials, the hydrogen reduction of goethite/hematite at elevated temperatures, carbothermal reduction, electrolysis, pulsed plasma in liquids, and the reduction of ferric/ferrous salts in H2O by polyphenolic plant extracts or other reducing agents [4]
Using an inert environment during synthesis to prevent substantial oxide layer formation and modification of the nZVI surface to prevent particle aggregation is of great importance for the environmental applications of nZVI
Summary
The utilization of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) for in situ remediation of contaminated water and soil has been an active research area due to its low cost, high reactivity, good mobility, and environmental compatibility [1,2,3]. Lignin-modified nZVI with a high specific surface area was first synthesized via the borohydride method in H2O for the removal of arsenic from groundwater [11].
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