Reactivity studies of iron particles for contaminant reduction

Zerovalent iron particles are used for in-situ remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichloroethylene. The kinetics of reduction by nano-sized and micron-sized irons, both commercial and synthesized in laboratory, are being studied to determine the reaction pathways that are followed in the reduction of the contaminant. The kinetics and product distributions are also being examined in relation to the size and the way that the particles are made. Nano-sized iron has the fastest reduction rate of the particles tested. Freshly prepared borohydride reduced iron reacts at a faster rate than those particles purchased commercially, presumably because of the difference in the thickness of the oxide layer. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 230th ACS National Meeting (Washington, DC 8/28/2005-9/1/2005).