Surface modification of Zero Valent Iron Material for Enhanced Reactivity for Degrading Chlorinated Contaminants in Water

Description:

Environmental remediation in areas contaminated with pollutants typically employ iron-based treatment when cleaning pesticides and heavy metals. In this process the addition of a second metal enhances the reactivity of lead. This is because the metal serves as a catalyst, thus reduction can happen much quicker. The issue is that these metals themselves are pollutants and very sensitive to the environment of the groundwater in which they are added to treat compounds. This means that these catalyzed zero-valent iron-bimetallic nanoparticles are easily deactivated by groundwater solutes.

 

This invention bypasses the addition of a secondary metal (noble metal catalyst) to zero-valent iron for environmental cleanup specific to contamination by chlorinated solvents (i.e. groundwater remediation, soil vapor intrusion mitigation, and wastewater decontamination). Thus, providing efficient groundwater remediation.

 

Reference Number

D-1239

 

Market Applications

  • Water remediation
  • Chlorinated ethenes

 

Features, Benefits & Advantages

  • Reduced time in water remediation
  • Efficiency and efficacy in groundwater remediation/treatment regimen(s)

 

Intellectual Property

U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial 62/337,441 was filed on 5/17/2016

U.S. Utility Patent Application, Serial 15/594,919 was filed on 5/16/2017

 

Researchers:

Weile Yan, Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.

 

Keywords:

Environmental clean-up/remediation, zero valent iron and groundwater.

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
Cameron Smith
Licensing Associate
Texas Tech Office of Research Commercialization
Cameron.smith@ttu.edu
Inventors:
Weile Yan
Keywords: