Vera Levina

Nanosized zero-valent iron as Fenton-like reagent for ultrasonic-assisted leaching of zinc from blast furnace sludge

Ultrasonic-assisted sulphuric acid leaching combined with a Fenton-like process, utilizing nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), was investigated to enhance the leaching of zinc from the blast furnace sludge (BFS). The leaching of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) from the sludge was investigated using Milli-Q water/BFS ratio of 10 and varying the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, sulphuric acid, the temperature, the input energy for ultrasound irradiation, and the presence or absence of nZVI as a Fenton reagent. The results showed that with 1g/l addition of nZVI and 0.05M of hydrogen peroxide, the kinetic rate of Zn leaching increased with a maximum dissolution degree of 80.2%, after 5min treatment. In the absence of nZVI, the maximum dissolution degree of Zn was 99.2%, after 15min treatment with 0.1M of hydrogen peroxide. The rate of Zn leaching at several concentrations of hydrogen peroxide is accelerated in the presence of nZVI although a reduction in efficiency was observed. The loss of Fe was no more than 3%. On the basis of these results, the possible route for BFS recycling has been proposed (BFS slurry mixed with sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide is recirculated under ultrasonic irradiation then separated).

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of nanosized zero-valent iron for metal cations extraction and wastewater treatment applications

Nanosized zero-valent iron has shown good results in wastewater treatment and activation of physicochemical processes. Its applications in modern industry are complicated by high production costs of nanomaterials produced via existing synthesis routes. Therefore there is a need of cheap and high-productive methods of nanosized zero-valent iron with advanced functional properties. Improvement of oxidative conditions with additions may find its place in extraction of rare-earth metals, where high cost of nanomaterials could be viable. In this paper we studied an effect of ultrasonic irradiation on specific surface area and particle size of nanosized zero-valent iron synthesized by methods of chemical precipitation with high- temperature reduction in hydrogen flow and sodium borohydride reduction. Obtained results showed significant decrease of particle size and differences in particles morphology depending on presence of ultrasonication during synthesis and on chosen method. For ultrasonic-assisted synthesis with 100% amplitude, particle size calculated from specific surface area was 70 nm for sample synthesized by chemical precipitation with high-temperature reduction and 35 nm for borohydide reduction method compared to 63 nm for reference sample without ultrasonication.

The structure of the cobalt metal particles formed in Co 3 O 4 reduction microspheres produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

The process of the reduction spherical Co3O4 particles to metallic Co in a continuous H2 flow at the temperature interval (200–350°C) was studied using the XRD method. The phase analysis of the reduced particles showed their non-single state (the coexistence of α-Co and β-Co). The β-Co concentration increases with an increase in the reduction temperature.

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Nanostructured Zero-Valent Iron Particles for Degradation of Azo Dyes

Nanostructured zero-valent iron (NSZVI) particles were synthesized by the method of ferric ion reduction with sodium borohydride with subsequent drying and passivation at room temperature in technical grade nitrogen. The obtained sample was characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies. The prepared NSZVI particles represent 100–200nm aggregates, which consist of 20–30nm iron nanoparticles in zero-valent oxidation state covered by thin oxide shell. The reactivity of the NSZVI sample, as the removal efficiency of refractory azo dyes, was investigated in this study. Two azo dye compounds, namely, orange G and methyl orange, are commonly detected in waste water of textile production. Experimental variables such as NSZVI dosage, initial dye concentration and solution pH were investigated. The kinetic rates of degradation of both dyes by NSZVI increased with the decrease of solution pH from 10 to 3 and with the increase of NSZVI dosage, but decreased with the increase of initial dye concentration. The removal efficiencies achieved for both orange G and methyl orange were higher than 90% after 80min of treatment.

Recent advances and future perspectives of nanosized zero- valent iron for extraction of heavy elements from metallurgical sludges

Advanced oxidation processes with nanosized zero-valent iron have presented great potential in wastewater treatment technology and now experience both increasing popularity and reliable technical improvements. Besides wastewater treatment, there is another promising application for an emerging technology of iron nanoparticles - as Fenton-like catalyst for extraction of valuable elements from poor and secondary raw materials such as metallurgical sludges. In present research, we carried out a set of experiments with emphasis on the physicochemical mechanisms and their relationship to the performance. In particular, we examined complex acidic - hydrogen peroxide leaching of zinc from blast furnace sludge with nanosized zero-valent iron as Fenton-like catalyst. Results of the experiments showed promising potential for subsequent application in extraction of heavy and rare-earth elements.