Optimization of Synthesis Condition for Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron Immobilization on Granular Activated Carbon

Hwang, Yuhoon; Mines, Paul D.; Lee, Wontae; Andersen, Henrik R.; Hwang, Yuhoon; Mines, Paul D.; Lee, Wontae; Andersen, Henrik R.

doi:2016.38.9.521

The Korean text of this paper can be translated into multiple languages on the website of http://jksee.or.kr through Google Translator.

J Korean Soc Environ Eng > Volume 38(9); 2016 > Article

Original Paper

J Korean Soc Environ Eng 2016;38(9): 521-527. doi: https://doi.org/10.4491/KSEE.2016.38.9.521

영가철이 고정된 입상활성탄 제조를 위한 최적 합성조건 도출

황유훈¹, Paul D. Mines², 이원태³, Henrik R. Andersen²

¹서울과학기술대학교 환경공학과
²덴마크공과대학 환경공학과
³금오공과대학교 환경공학과

Optimization of Synthesis Condition for Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron Immobilization on Granular Activated Carbon

Yuhoon Hwang¹, Paul D. Mines², Wontae Lee³, Henrik R. Andersen²

¹Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology
²Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
³School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology

Corresponding author

Yuhoon Hwang ,Tel: 02-970-6626, Fax: 02-971-5576, Email: yhhwang@seoultech.ac.kr

Received: August 19, 2016; Revised: September 5, 2016; Accepted: September 13, 2016. Published online: September 30, 2016.

ABSTRACT

Nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) has been intensively studied for the treatment of a plethora of pollutants through reductive reaction, however, the nano size should be of concern when nZVI is considered for water treatment, due to difficulties in recovery. The loss of nZVI causes not only economical loss, but also potential risk to human health and environment. Thus, the immobilization onto coarse or structured support is essential. In this study, two representative processes for nZVI immobilization on granular activated carbon (GAC) were evaluated, and optimized conditions for synthesizing Fe/GAC composite were suggested. Both total iron content and Fe⁰ content can be significantly affected by preparation processes, therefore, it was important to avoid oxidation during preparation to achieve higher reduction capacity. Synthesis conditions such as reduction time and existence of intermediate drying step were investigated to improve Fe⁰ content of Fe/GAC composites. The optimal condition was two hours of NaBH4 reduction without intermediate drying process. The prepared Fe/GAC composite showed synergistic effect of the adsorption capability of the GAC and the degradation capability of the nZVI, which make this composite a very effective material for environmental remediation.

Key Words: Granular Activated Carbon, Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron, Oxidation-Reduction, Impregnation