Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-19-2025
Publication Title
Water Cycle
DOI
10.1016/j.watcyc.2025.05.003
Abstract
The increasing concern over heavy metal contamination in water has necessitated the development of sustainable and efficient treatment methods. This study compares two synthesis approaches for zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) for cadmium, chromium, and arsenic removal: chemical reduction using sodium borohydride and green synthesis utilizing cocoa husk extracts combined with hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Chemically synthesized nZVI exhibited high initial removal efficiencies (>98%), though desorption effects occurred over time due to particle aging. In contrast, green-synthesized nZVI, stabilized by a carbon matrix, maintained consistent removal efficiencies above 98% for 120 h under acidic conditions, showcasing superior stability and reactivity. Characterization through SEM, EDS, and XRD confirmed the dual mechanisms of metal removal: reduction and adsorption facilitated by the Fe(0) core and oxide layers. While experimental conditions were optimized for each synthesis method, the findings highlight the promise of green-synthesized nZVI as a sustainable alternative for heavy metal remediation. Future studies should explore adsorption isotherms and long-term applications to further validate the scalability and efficacy of these materials.
Recommended Citation
Ferro-Falla, Juan, Lewis Stetson Rowles, Farith Diaz Arriaga, Jaime Plazas-Tuttle.
2025.
"Examining green and chemical methods for zero-valent iron nanoparticle synthesis in heavy metal adsorption."
Water Cycle, 6: 473-484: Elsevier.
doi: 10.1016/j.watcyc.2025.05.003
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/civil-eng-facpubs/119
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Georgia Southern University faculty member, Lewis S. Rowles co-authored "Examining green and chemical methods for zero-valent iron nanoparticle synthesis in heavy metal adsorption".