Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Reaction Pathways for the Breakdown of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Molecules by Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles(including PNNL Scope # 42184/44076, Baer/Amonette/Tratnyek Nano-Fe BES/EMSP project)
EMSL Project ID
2573b
Abstract
Metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles have been shown to have high reactivity towards a variety of chemical species, including chlorinated hydrocarbons and reducible oxyanions that frequently contaminate ground water at DOE and other government and industrial sites. In addition to rapid reaction rates, evidence suggests that these materials offer a degree of control over product-formation pathways and therefore might be engineered to produce environmentally more-favorable products. However, the fundamental science necessary to support such applications is not yet well developed.This research effort focuses on understanding and optimizing the reduction of halogenated hydrocarbons by reactive metal and metal-oxide particles (especially nanoparticles containing Fe0). The types of halogenated hydrocarbons studied are those that frequently contaminate ground water, with a particular emphasis on carbon tetrachloride. The scope of activities includes theoretical calculations and experimental determinations of molecular-degradation pathways. The experimental work relies on synthesis of dispersed nanoparticles for solution-phase measurements and supported particles for vacuum-based reactivity measurements. Of particular interest are the roles of particle size, shape, and composition on the reaction rates and pathways in solution.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2006-08-08
End Date
2009-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
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