Simultaneous removal of nano-ZnO and Zn2+ based on transportation character of nano-ZnO by coagulation: Enteromorpha polysaccharide compound polyaluminum chloride.

Abstract

It is confirmed that nano-ZnO (nZnO) has impact on environment and is considered as heavy metal pollutants. It is a new technology that applies coagulation process to simultaneous removal of the nanoparticles and heavy metals. Environmental chemical behavior of ZnO in water, such as the dispersion, aggregation, sedimentation, and dissolution of releasing metal ions, has been systematically studied in this paper. The result shows that three kinds of nZnO state such as compacted sediment, suspended, and released is separately 36.54%, 40.61%, and 22.86%. Enteromorpha polysaccharide (Ep) was used together with polyaluminum chloride (PAC) in surface water purification. In order to study the mechanism of simultaneous removal of residual nZnO particles and Zn2+, coagulation process was further applied in this study. The evolution of flocs size, strength, and recovery ability and fractal structure due to Ep addition was systematically studied in this paper. Results indicated that PAC-Ep was efficient in removing nZnO and Zn2+, which leads to more than 95% particles, 50-60% natural organic matter (NOM) removed, and 35% of resolved heavy metal ion adsorbing-chelation. Ep was an efficient coagulant aid in enhancing performance of coagulation and generating flocs with bigger sizes, faster growth rates, and higher recovery abilities. Additionally, the flocs formed by PAC-Ep presented a much looser structure than flocs formed only by PAC. Graphical abstract ᅟ.