Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2020ND087B

Fabrication of Point of Use Treatment Systems for Aqueous Arsenic and their Evaluation

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2020 Start Date: 2020-02-27 End Date: 2021-02-25
Total Federal Funds: $11,115 Total Non-Federal Funds: $34,517

Principal Investigators: Achintya N. Bezbaruah

Project Summary: In this work, we synthesized nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles on GO sheets (GNZVI) for aqueous arsenic removal. The Electron microscopy characterization along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the formation of core/shell (Iron/iron oxide) structure on the surface of GO layer. GNZVI recorded adsorption capacities of 306 mg/g for As(III) and 431 mg/g for As(V). There were negligible interferences by co-existing ions, pH, temperature and organic matters on arsenic removal efficiency at environmentally relevant level. Adsorbed arsenic makes a stable complexation on the surface of nanohybrids. The possible mechanisms of arsenic removal and role of GO sheet in the removal process were elucidated. High arsenic loading in nanohybrid material arises concern of arsenic leaching from the adsorbed phase. We monitored the arsenic release behavior from arsenic saturated nanohybrid in batch reactor and column bed in simulated groundwater. Our preliminary results indicate adsorbed arsenic remains stable on the adsorbent surface with a minimal arsenic release which makes this material safe to use in filter bed in the rural and preurban settings. Now we are working to incorporate our nanohybrid in different filter matrix i.e. mixed sand bed, polymer bead, and membrane filter and evaluate the arsenic removal performance.