Synthesis of Nanostructured Bimetallic Particles in Polyligand-Functionalized Membranes for Remediation Applications

The creation and development of nanosized materials have brought important and promising techniques into the field of environmental remediation of chlorinated organics. Extensive studies have been reported on the degradation of toxic chlorinated organics with non-immobilized Fe⁰ based bulk/nanoparticles. Work involving reductive dechlorination involved the use of bimetallic (Fe/Ni and Fe/Pd) nanoparticle systems, both membrane-supported and direct aqueous-phase synthesis. The nanosized metals precipitated from solutions are extremely reactive due to their high surface energy, and they usually form aggregates without the protection of their surface. Therefore, immobilization of metal nanoparticles in polymer membrane (such as cellulose acetate, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polysulfone, chitosan, etc.) media is important from the point of view of reactivity, organic partitioning, preventing loss of nanoparticles, and reduction of surface passivation. Another major advantage of having a polymer domain is that nanoparticles (without causing agglomeration) can be directly synthesized in the matrix.