Reductive transformation of halogenated organic compounds by nanoscale bimetallic particles immobilized in polyelectrolyte membrane matrix

Nanoscale bimetallic particles (Fe/Ni) were synthesized in the polyacrylic acid (PAA)/polyether sulfone (PES) composite membrane matrix to reduce Halogenated Organic Compounds. In the presence of PAA, narrow size distribution of nanoparticles (10-30 nm) was obtained. Rapid and complete destruction of trichloroethylene (TCE) was achieved by using nanoscale bimetallic Fe/Ni particles. Typically, 95% 10 mg/L TCE was reduced within 1 hr. Ethane was found in the headspace as the product, but no other intermediate byproducts were identified in both aqueous and headspace phase. The application of convective flow to improve particle surface accessibility with shorter residence times could be easily achieved by nanoparticles immobilized in the PAA/PES membrane. This project was supported by the EPA STAR Grant and by NIEHS-SBRP grant. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 227th ACS National Meeting (Anaheim, CA 3/28/2004-4/1/2004).