CELL 246 |
| The nanoparticle field has revolutionized the environmental remediation process for many toxic metals including but not limited to hexavalent chromium. Zero-valent iron has been studied extensively as a potent reducing agent and has been shown to be extremely good at reducing hexavalent chromium. However, a problem that is constant is the rapid oxidation of the surface of these nanometas. Thus, this lab has designed an effective coating mechanism using carboxymethylcellulose. Successful coating of zero valent iron has been achieved without inhibiting the nanoparticle's ability to reduce compounds containing hexavalent chromium. The thickness of the carboxymethylcellulose coat was noted to be directly proportional to the rate of hexavalent chromium reduction. Furthermore, there was a decrease in nanoparticle aggregation in zero-valent iron nanoparticles that had been coated with carboxymethylcellulose. The polymer-zero-valent iron complexes were studied via SEM and TEM. All reduction reactions were monitored via UV/VIS spectrophotometry. |
|
Biobased Nanocomposites and Nanotechnology
1:00 PM-5:15 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. R09, Oral
Division of Cellulose & Renewable Materials |