Nanoscale iron particles

Part of a series of articles on Nanomaterials Fullerenes Carbon nanotubes Buckminsterfullerene Fullerene chemistry Applications In popular culture Timeline Carbon allotropes Nanoparticles Quantum dots Nanostructures Colloidal gold Silver nanoparticles Iron nanoparticles Platinum nanoparticles See also Nanotechnology v · d · e

Nanoscale iron particles are sub-micrometer particles of iron metal. They are highly reactive because of their large surface area. In the presence of oxygen and water, they rapidly oxidize to form free iron ions. They are widely used in medical and laboratory applications and have also been studied for remediation of industrial sites contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds.

Reactivity

When exposed to oxygen and water, iron oxidizes. This redox process can occur under either acidic or neutral/basic conditions:

2 Fe⁰(s) + 4 H⁺(aq) + O₂(aq) → 2 Fe²⁺(aq) + 2 H₂O(l)

Fe⁰(s) + 2 H₂O (aq) → Fe²⁺(aq) + H₂(g) + 2 OH^-(aq)

Research

Research has shown that nanoscale iron particles can be effectively used to treat several forms of ground contamination, including grounds contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated organic solvents, and organochlorine pesticides. Nanoscale iron particle are easily transportable through ground water, allowing for in situ treatment. Additionally, the nanoparticle-water slurry can be injected into the contaminated area and stay there for long periods of time^[1]. These factors combine to make this method of cheaper than most currently used alternative.

Researchers have found that although metallic iron nanoparticles remediate contaminants well, they tend to agglomerate on the soil surfaces. In response, carbon nanoparticles and water-soluble polyelectrolytes have been used as supports to the metallic iron nanoparticles. The hydrophobic contaminants adsorb to these supports, improving permeability in sand and soil.^[1]

In field tests have generally confirmed lab findings. However, research is still ongoing and nanoscale iron particles are not yet commonly used for treating ground contamination.

See also

• Environmental implications of nanotechnology

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Zhang, Wei-xian (2003). "Nanoscale iron particles for environmental remediation: an overview". Journal of Nanoparticle Research 5 (3/4): 323–332. doi:10.1023/A:1025520116015. 

External links

• National Nanotechnology Initiative
• Nanotechnology methods to clean up water pollution

This nanotechnology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Environmental science Pollution control technologies Nanotechnology stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат? 1960 Stanley Cup Finals Jay Richards Look at other dictionaries: Nano iron powder — Nano Iron Powder=Nano iron powder is an iron powder with granules sizes ranging on the nanoscale. It is produced by first refining the iron until it is exceptionally pure. Next it is wound into wire. This wire is then exposed to an electric… …   Wikipedia Environmental implications of nanotechnology — The environmental implications of nanotechnology are the possible effects that the use of nanotechnological materials and devices will have on the environment. As nanotechnology is an emerging field, there is great debate regarding to what extent …   Wikipedia Environmental impact of nanotechnology — Part of a series of articles on the Impact of Nanotechnology …   Wikipedia Single-molecule magnet — Single molecule magnets or SMMs are a class of metalorganic compounds, that show superparamagnetic behavior below a certain blocking temperature at the molecular scale. In this temperature range, SMMs exhibit magnetic hysteresis of purely… …   Wikipedia Physical Sciences — ▪ 2009 Introduction Scientists discovered a new family of superconducting materials and obtained unique images of individual hydrogen atoms and of a multiple exoplanet system. Europe completed the Large Hadron Collider, and China and India took… …   Universalium nanotechnology — /nan euh tek nol euh jee, nay neuh /, n. any technology on the scale of nanometers. [1987] * * * Manipulation of atoms, molecules, and materials to form structures on the scale of nanometres (billionths of a metre). These nanostructures typically …   Universalium Carbon nanotube — Not to be confused with Carbon fiber. Part of a series of articles on Nanomaterials Fullerenes …   Wikipedia Nanomaterials — Part of a series of articles on Nanomaterials Fullerenes …   Wikipedia Impact of nanotechnology — Part of a series of articles on the Impact of Nanotechnology …   Wikipedia Ferrofluid — on glass, with a magnet underneath. A ferrofluid (portmanteau of ferromagnetic, and fluid) is a liquid which becomes strongly magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field. Ferrofluids are colloidal liquids made of nanoscale ferromagnetic, or… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”