Synthesis and Characterization of Montmorillonite-Supported Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles with Application for Preconcentration of Zinc

ABSTRACT

Montmorillonite-supported zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI-montmorillonite) were prepared by liquid-phase reduction under ambient atmosphere. Transmission electron microscope images indicated that the presence of montmorillonite decreased the aggregation and the size of iron nanoparticles. A portion of the gaps in the supporting material was filled with nanoparticles. Irregular angular shaped shells were also observed. X-ray diffraction indicated that the reduction rate had a substantial effect on the morphology and size of nanoparticles. nZVI-montmorillonite showed higher adsorption capacity for Zn(II) (9.9038 mg/g) compared to nZVI (9.4190 mg/g), montmorillonite (1.8835 mg/g), and zero-valent iron powder (5.8568 mg/g). The material can be used for several repeated applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Montmorillonite-supported zero-valent iron nanoparticles
• transmission electron microscopy
• X-ray diffraction
• Zn(II)

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge editors and reviewers for polishing the language of the paper and for in-depth discussion.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41373110 and 41402133), the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (No. 1408085MD69) and the Science Program of Department of Land and Resources of Anhui Province (2015-K-13).