• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.95-108
• /
• 2020

Silver nanoparticles were loaded onto g-C₃N₄ (CN) with a nanoroll-type morphology (Ag/CN) synthesized using a co-polymerization method for highly selective conversion of toxic nitrobenzene to industrially-valuable aminobenzene. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images of Ag/CN revealed the generation of the nanoroll-type morphology of CN. Additionally, HRTEM analysis provided direct evidence of the generation of a Schottky barrier between Ag and CN in the Ag/CN nanohybrid. Photoluminescence analysis and photocurrent measurements suggested that the introduction of Ag into CN could minimize charge recombination rates, enhancing the mobility of electrons and holes to the surface of the photocatalyst. Compared to pristine CN, Ag/CN displayed much higher ability in the photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene to aminobenzene, underscoring the importance of Ag deposition on CN. The enhanced photocatalytic performance and photocurrent generation were primarily ascribed to the Schottky junction formed at the Ag/CN interface, greater visible-light absorption efficiency, and improved charge separation associated with the nanoroll morphology of CN. Ag would act as an electron sink/trapping center, enhancing the charge separation, and also serve as a good co-catalyst. Overall, the synergistic effects of these features of Ag/CN improved the photocatalytic conversion of nitrobenzene to aminobenzene.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.29 no.12
• /
• pp.1205-1211
• /
• 2020

In this study, the applicability of reduction-oxidation-linked treatment was evaluated for nitrobenzene and a by-product by analyzing the reaction kinetics. Nitrobenzene showed very low reactivity to persulfate that was activated using various methods. Nitrobenzene effectively reacted through the reduction process using Zero-Valent Iron (ZVI). However, aniline, a toxic substance, was produced as a by-product. Reduction-oxidation-linked treatment is a method that can allow the oxidative degradation of aniline after reducing nitrobenzene to aniline. The experimental results show improved reactivity and complete decomposition of the by-product. Improved reactivity and decomposition of the by-product were observed even under conditions in which the reduction-oxidation reaction was induced simultaneously. No activator was injected for persulfate activation in the process of reducing oxidant linkage, and the activation reaction was induced by ferrous iron eluted from the ZVI. This indicates that this method can be implemented relatively simply.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.551-560
• /
• 2004

The feasibility and efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide produced by an electrolysis cell reactor was investigated, From regulating voltages for the given reaction time, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide was gradually increased with increasing voltages. Optimal voltage range was found to be 10～15 V. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was much higher with oxygen gas than without oxygen gas in the cathodic chamber. But there was a little difference in the generating rate of hydrogen peroxide regardless of the presence of nitrogen gas. Under given conditions, the maximum value of ICE(Instantaneous Current Efficiency) was about 38%, and then current density was 74 $mA/\textrm{cm}^2.$ The specific energy consumption was $0.694[kWh/kg-H_2O_2].$ Since Esp (Specific Energy Consumption)was very little value, It did not demand high energy in this system. Using the hydrogen peroxide gained in the experiment, Fenton's reaction was conducted and the removal of nitrobenzene, 3-chlorophenol and dye wastewater was studied. This results were very similar to the Fenton's reaction by using commercial hydrogen peroxide.

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

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.38 no.12
• /
• pp.667-675
• /
• 2016

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been effectively applied for environmental remediation due to its ability to reduce various toxic compounds. However, quantification of nZVI reactivity has not yet been standardized. Here, we adapted colorimetric assays for determining reductive activity of nZVIs. A modified indophenol method was suggested to determine reducing activity of nZVI. The method was originally developed to determine aqueous ammonia concentration, but it was further modified to quantify phenol and aniline. The assay focused on analysis of reduction products rather than its mother compounds, which gave more accurate quantification of reductive activity. The suggested color assay showed superior selectivity toward reduction products, phenol or aniline, in the presence of mother compounds, 4-chlorophenol or nitrobenzene. Reaction conditions, such as reagent concentration and reaction time, were optimized to maximize sensitivity. Additionally, pretreatment step using $Na_2CO_3$ was suggested to eliminate the interference of residual iron ions. Monometallic nZVI and bimetallic Ni/Fe were investigated with the reaction. The substrates showed graduated reactivity, and thus, reduction potency and kinetics of different materials and reaction mechanism was distinguished. The colorimetric assay based on modified indophenol reaction can be promises to be a useful and simple tool in various nZVI related research topics.