Extramural Research
Presentation Abstract
Grantee Research Project Results
Title of Talk:
Hollow and Nanoporous Iron Particles
Abstract of Talk:
Hollow iron spheres with micro- and nano-scale pores were prepared using
template-directed synthesis. Iron nanoparticles were deposited on the
surfaces of polymeric resin by reductive precipitation. The resin was
subsequently removed by heat treatment. Pores ranging in size from nanometers
(~80%, <100 nm) to several micrometers were observed on the shell.
Specific surface area of the resulting iron spheres (0.4 mm dia.) was
2,100 m2/kg, that is 1,250 times bigger than the theoretical specific
surface area of solid iron particles at the same size. Tests further suggested
that the iron spheres are effective for the reduction of several common
environmental pollutants including azo dyes and chlorinated aliphatic
compounds. Surface area normalized rate for the reduction of trichloroethene
was 17% higher than that of conventional microscale iron particles. The
reaction rate per unit of iron mass was approximately 1,461 times higher
than that of solid iron particles at the same size. The nanoporous iron
has broad potential in groundwater remediation and industrial waste treatment.