Degradation of trichloroethylene using solvent-responsive polymer coated Fe nanoparticles

For safe and effective targeted nanoparticles delivery in natural environments, we have presented a solvent-responsive polymer coated nanoscale zerovalent iron (PNZVI), which can be easily synthesized by the modified microemulsion method followed by a in situ surface-radical graft polymerization. The prepared PNZVI was used for the degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE). The factors controlling the reduction of TCE, such as pH, ionic strength, iron content as well as the initial TCE concentration were discussed. The experiment results demonstrated the ability of polymer to modify the Fe nanoparticles surface chemistry in a way that protected the Fe core from excessive oxidation by air, water and non-target compounds. Most interestingly, the PNZVI can be miscible with TCE due to the stimuli response of outer polymer layer, which provided a possibility of nanoparticles delivery between immiscible water/oil phases. Furthermore, such responsive capability of polymer enhanced the selectivity of PNZVI to target contaminant TCE.