Bimetallic nanoparticles synthesis in membrane matrix: Nanoparticle structure and reactive properties

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, nanosized core-shell Fe/Pd particles were synthesized in the polyacrylic acid (PAA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite membranes. The PAA/PVDF membranes were prepared by a dip-coating process. The carboxylic groups in PAA layer bind ferrous ions from aqueous solution by ion exchange at controlled pH (5-6). Subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride forms metallic Fe nanoparticles. The advantages of using PAA for nanoparticle synthesis are: prevention of particle agglomeration and control of particle size, recapture of dissolved Fe 2+ or Fe 3+ from solution, and easy regeneration of nanoparticles. The core-shell Fe/Pd nanoparticles can be achieved by a partial displacement reaction on Fe surface. The membranes and Fe/Pd nanoparticles were characterized by several electron microscopy techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The reactive properties are dependent on the bimetallic nanoparticle structure and distribution of Fe and Pd at nano domain. A specimen-drift-free EDS mapping system was performed in STEM to determine the two-dimensional element distribution inside the membrane matrix at nano scale. The interfacial structure of Fe core and Pd shell are studied in detail using HRTEM. The reactive properties of Fe/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles in PAA/PVDF membrane were investigated toward the reductive dechlorination of 2,3,2′,5′- tetrachlorobiphenyl (TeCB) at room temperature. Complete destruction of TeCB (C 0 = 12 mg L -1) by membrane-based Fe/Pd (Pd = 2 wt%) nanoparticles was achieved within 2 hours. Biphenyl was formed as the main product in the first hour and the only product after 2 hours. Chlorinated intermediates (trichlorobiphenyl, dichlorobiphenyl and chlorobiphenyl) which were observed in the first hour were also quantified. Reductive dechlorination of TeCB under convective flow mode and recapture of dissolved Fe 2+ were also investigated in this paper. This research is supported by the NIEHS-SBRP program and by U.S. EPA - STAR Program.

Original languageEnglish
Pages2366-2372
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2005
Event05AIChE: 2005 AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase - Cincinnati, OH, United States
Duration: Oct 30 2005Nov 4 2005

Conference

Conference05AIChE: 2005 AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati, OH
Period10/30/0511/4/05

Keywords

  • Fe/Pd
  • Membrane
  • Nanoscale bimetallic particles
  • Polyacrylic acid
  • Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Dechlorination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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