• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2018

In this study, we compared the MZVI (Microscale Zero-Valent Iron) and NZVI (Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron) for reactivity and mobility in a column to reduce nitrate, which is a major pollutant in Korea, and investigated the effect of operational parameters on the NZVI filled column. For the comparison of MZVI and NZVI, samples were collected for 990 minutes using fractionator in the similar operation conditions (MZVI 10g, NZVI 2g). The nitrate reduction efficiency of NZVI was about 5 times higher than that of MZVI, which was about 7.45% and 38.75% when using MZVI and NZVI, respectively. In the mobility experiment, the MZVI descended due to gravity while NZVI moved up with water flow due to its small size. Furthermore, the optimum condition of NZVI filled column was determined by changing the flow rate and pH. The amount of Fe ions was increased as the pH of the nitrate solution was lowered, and the nitrate removal rate was similar due to the higher yield of hydroxyl groups. The removal rate of nitrate nitrogen was stable while flow rate was increased from 0.5 mL/min to 2.0 mL/min (empty bed contact time: 2.26 min to 0.57 min). NZVI has a high reduction rate of nitrate, but it also has a high mobility, so both of reactivity and mobility need to be considered when NZVI is applied for drinking water treatment.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 1999

The destruction of hazardous chemicals such as chlorinated organic compounds(COCs) and nitroaromatic compounds(NACs) by zero-valent iron powder is one of the latest innovative technologies. In this paper. the rapid dechlorination of chlorinated compounds as well as transformation of nitro functional group to amine functional group in the nitroaromatic compounds using synthesized zero-valent iron powder with nanoscale were studied in anaerobic batch system. Nanoscale iron, characterized by high surface area to mass ratios(31.4$\textrm{m}^2$/g) and high reactivity, could quickly reacts with compounds such as TCE, chloroform, nitrobenzene, nitrotoluene, dinitrobenzene and dinitrotoluene, at concentration of 10mg/L in aqueous solution at room temperature and pressure. In this study, the TCE was dechlorinated to ethane and chloroform to methane and nitro groups in NACs were transformed to amino groups in less than 30min. These results indicated that this chemical method using nanoscale iron powder has the high potential for the remediation of soils and groundwater contaminated with hazardous toxic chemicals including chlorinated organic compounds and nitro aromatic compounds.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2020

A number of different nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) materials have been prepared and compared depending on the desired properties for the particular application, but different physicochemical properties of this prepared nZVI make it difficult to universally compare and standardize them to the same scale. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate a simple microplate-based colorimetric assay using 4-chlorophenol as an indicator with respect to the remediation of real treatment targets, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), and atrazine. Effect of nickel contents on 4-chlorophenol reduction was successfully investigated by the miniaturized colorimetric assay. In the same manner, the effect of nickel contents on dehalogenation of TCE, TCA, and atrazine was investigated and the pseudo-first-order kinetic constants were compared with the results for 4-chlorophenol. The similar pattern could be observed between 4-chlorophenol reduction obtained by colorimetric assay and TCE, TCA, atrazine reduction obtained by a traditional chromatographic method. The reaction kinetics does not match perfectly, but the degree of reaction can be estimated. Therefore, the colorimetric assay can be a useful and simple screening tool to determine nZVI reactivity toward halogenated organics before it is applied to a particular remediation site.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.471-479
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• 2009

A Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron(NZVI) was modified to build a reactor system to treat nitrate. Shell layer of the NZVI was modified by slow exposure of the iron surface to air flow, which produced NZVI particles that are resistant to aerial oxidation. A XANES (X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure) analysis revealed that the shell consists of magnetite ($Fe_3O_4$) dominantly. The shell-modified NZVI(0.5 g NZVI/ 120 mL) was able to degrade more than 95% of 30 mg/L of nitrate within $30 hr^{-1}$ ( pseudo first-order rate constant($k_{SA}$) normalzed to NZVI surface area ($17.96m^2/g$) : $0.0050L{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}hr^{-1}$). Ammonia occupied about 90% of degradation products of nitrate. Nitrate degradation efficiencies increased with the increase of NZVI dose generally. Initial pH values of the reactor systems at 4, 7, and 10 did not affect nitrate removal rate and final pH values of all experiments were near 12. Nitrate removal experiments by using the shell-modified NZVI immobilized on a cellulose acetate (CA) membrane were also conducted. The nitrate removal efficiency of the CA membrane supported NZVI ($k_{SA}=0.0036L{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}hr^{-1}$) was less than that of the NZVI slurries($k_{SA}=0.0050L{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}hr^{-1}$), which is probably due to less surface area available for reduction and to kinetic retardation by nitrate transport through the CA membrane. The detachment of the NZVI from the CA membrane was minimal and impregnation of up to 1 g of NZVI onto 1 g of the CA membrane was found feasible.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.463-473
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• 2019

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has proved to be an effective tool in applied environmental nanotechnology, where the decreased particle diameter provides a drastic change in the properties and efficiency of nanomaterials used in water purification. However, the agglomeration and colloidal instability represent a problematic and a remarkable reduction in nZVI reactivity. In view of that, this study reports a simple and cost-effective new strategy for ultra-small (< 7.5%) distributed functionalized nZVI-EG (1-9 nm), with high colloidal stability and reduction capacity. These were obtained without inert conditions, using a simple, economical synthesis methodology employing two stabilization mechanisms based on the use of non-aqueous solvent (methanol) and ethylene glycol (EG) as a stabilizer. The information from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggests iron ion coordination by interaction with methanol molecules. Subsequently, after nZVI formation, particle-surface modification occurs by the addition of the EG. Size distribution analysis shows an average diameter of 4.23 nm and the predominance (> 90%) of particles with sizes < 6.10 nm. Evaluation of the stability of functionalized nZVI by sedimentation test and a dynamic light-scattering technique, demonstrated very high colloidal stability. The ultra-small particles displayed a rapid and high nitrate removal capacity from water.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.117-126
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• 2015

Reductive degradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was investigated to evaluate the feasibility of using it for in-situ groundwater remediation. Batch experiments were conducted to quantify the kinetics and efficiency of RDX removal by nZVI, and to determine the effects of pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and ionic strength on this process. Experimental results showed that the reduction of RDX by nZVI followed pseudo-first order kinetics with the observed rate constant (k_obs) in the range of 0.0056-0.0192 min⁻¹. Column tests were conducted to quantify the removal of RDX by nZVI under real groundwater conditions and evaluate the potential efficacy of nZVI for this purpose in real conditions. In column experiment, RDX removal capacity of nZVI was determined to be 82,500 mg/kg nZVI. pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and DO concentration varied significantly during the column experiments; the occurrence of these changes suggests that monitoring these quantities may be useful in evaluation of the reactivity of nZVI, because the most critical mechanisms for RDX removal are based on the chemical reduction reactions. These results revealed that nZVI can significantly degrade RDX and that use of nZVI could be an effective method for in-situ remediation of RDX-contaminated groundwater.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2012

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has recently received much attention for remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). But there have been many debates on the toxic or inhibitory effects of nZVI on the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nZVI on the activity of Geobacter lovleyi and to determine the potent effect of combination of abiotic and biotic treatment of TCE dechlorination. TCE degradation efficiencies of Geobacter lovleyi along with nZVI were more increased than those when nZVI was solely used. The amount of total microbial protein was increased in the presence of nZVI and hydrogen evolved from nZVI was consumed as electron donor by Geobacter lovleyi. In addition, dechlorination of TCE to cis-DCE by Geobacter lovleyi along with nZVI in respiking of exogenous of TCE shows that the reactivity of Geobacter lovleyi was also maintained. These results suggest that the application of Geobacter lovleyi along with nZVI for the dehalorination is beneficial for the enhancement of TCE degradation rate and reactivity of Geobacter lovleyi.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.679-687
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• 2007

Nanoscale zero valent ion (nZVI) technology is emerging as an innovative method to treat contaminated groundwater. The activity of nZVI is very high due to their high specific surface area, and supporting this material can help to preserve its chemical nature by inhibiting oxidation. In this study, nZVI particles were attached to granular ion-exchange resin through borohydride reduction of ferrous ions, and chemical reduction of nitrate by this material was investigated as a potential technology to remove nitrate from groundwater. The pore structure and physical characteristics were measured and the change by the adsorption of nZVI was discussed. Batch tests were conducted to characterize the activity of the supported nZVI and the results indicated that the degradation of nitrate appeared to be a pseudo first-order reaction with the observed reaction rate constant of $0.425h^{-1}$ without pH control. The reduction process continued but at a much lower rate with a rate constant of $0.044h^{-1}$, which is likely limited by mass transfer. To assess the effects of other ions commonly found in groundwater, the same experiments were conducted in simulated groundwater with the same level of nitrate. In simulated groundwater, the rate constant was $0.078h^{-1}$ and it also reduced to $0.0021h^{-1}$ in later phase. The major limitation in application of ZVI for nitrate reduction is ammonium production. By using a support material with ion exchange capacity, the problem of ammonium release can be solved. The ammonium was not detected in the batch test, even when other competitive ions such as calcium and potassium existed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.80-90
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• 2014

The laboratory and field studies were conducted to identify an optimal injection concentration of nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (NZVI) and to evaluate the applicability of NZVI-based reactive zone technology to the site contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) DNAPL (Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid). The laboratory test found an optimal injection concentration of NZVI of 5 g/L that could remove more than 95% of 0.15 mM TCE within 20 days. Eleven test wells were installed at the aquifer that was mainly composed of alluvial and weathered soils at a strong oxic condition with dissolved oxygen concentration of 3.50 mg/L and oxidation-reduction potential of 301 mV. NZVI of total 30 kg were successfully injected using a centrifugal pump. After 60 days from the NZVI injection, 86.2% of the TCE initially present in the groundwater was removed and the mass of TCE removed was 405 g. Nonchlorinated products such as ethane and ethene were detected in the groundwater samples. Based on the increased chloride ion concentration at the site, the mass of TCE removed was estimated to be 1.52 kg. This implied the presence of DNAPL TCE which contributed to a higher estimate of TCE removal than that based on the TCE concentration change.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2014

This paper presents the feasibility of using different iron oxides (microscale hematite (HT), microscale magnetite (MT), and nanoscale maghemite (NMH)) in enhancing nitrate reduction by zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) under two solution conditions (artificial acidic water and real groundwater). Addition of MT and NMH into Fe(0) system resulted in enhancement of nitrate reduction compared to Fe(0) along reaction, especially in groundwater condition, while HT had little effect on nitrate reduction in both solutions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed association of MT and NMH with Fe(0) surface, presumably due to magnetic attraction. The rate enhancement effect of the minerals is presumed to arise from its role as an electron mediator that facilitated electron transport from Fe(0) to nitrate. The greater enhancement of MT and NMH in groundwater was attributed to surface charge neutralization by calcium and magnesium ions in groundwater, which in turn facilitated adsorption of nitrate on Fe(0) surface.