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Cleaner water using bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts
Author(s) -
Wong Michael S.,
Alvarez Pedro J. J.,
Fang Yulun,
Akçin Nurgül,
Nutt Michael O.,
Miller Jeffrey T.,
Heck Kimberly N.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2002
Subject(s) - bimetallic strip , catalysis , activated carbon , environmental remediation , hazardous waste , adsorption , groundwater remediation , chemistry , water treatment , groundwater , contamination , air stripping , nanoparticle , waste management , environmental chemistry , nanotechnology , materials science , organic chemistry , environmental science , environmental engineering , wastewater , ecology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , biology
Groundwater contaminated by hazardous chlorinated compounds, especially chlorinated ethenes, continues to be a significant environmental problem in industrialized nations. The conventional treatment methods of activated carbon adsorption and air‐stripping successfully remove these compounds by way of transferring them from the water phase into the solid or gas phase. Catalysis is a promising approach to remove chlorinated compounds completely from the environment, by converting them into safer, non‐chlorinated compounds. Palladium‐based materials have been shown to be very effective as hydrodechlorination catalysts for the removal of chlorinated ethenes and other related compounds. However, relatively low catalytic activity and a propensity for deactivation are significant issues that prevent their widespread use in groundwater remediation. Palladium‐on‐gold bimetallic nanoparticles, in contrast, were recently discovered to exhibit superior catalyst activity and improved deactivation resistance. This new type of material is a significant next‐step in the development of a viable hydrodechlorination catalysis technology. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry