Prof. WANG Chuanyi and his co-worker Dr. JIA Hanzhong from Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics & Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a new type of nZVI composite, organic modified smectite-templated ZVI (OS-ZVI). In their study, organic modified smectite was employed as template for preparation of nZVI particles in an effort to enhance the suspension stability and therefore particle mobility of nZVI during preparation and utilization. In addition, OS-ZVI acts as (i) a strong adsorbent to target compounds and relevant reaction products, and (ii) a protective agent of ZVI from ineffective oxidation by water and dissolved oxygen, and thus efficiently sustaining their reactivity. Those properties are beneficial for the long-term reactivity and stability of removing contaminants.

The work entitled “Adsorption and dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on a multi-functional organo-smectite templated zero-valent iron composite” has been published online in Chemical Engineering Journal. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.03.004 )

The work has been supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China.