Nanomaterial-Treated Filters for the Uptake of Heavy Metals from Water Sources
- Savannah River National Laboratory, National Security Directorate, Aiken, SC (United States)
We describe the synthesis and properties of ligand-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) grown on stainless steel wool filters. Their selectivity and efficiency with regards to heavy metal uptake from groundwater and other sources of drinking water found at or near DOE facilities were also investigated. The nanomaterial-treated filters are advantageous because they serve as inactive supports that allow for efficient flow of the contaminated water, and can be easily replaced after heavy metal uptake. They are also comparable to nanomaterials free in solution with regards to the effectiveness of remediation of drinking water. Environmental stewardship is at the forefront of core competencies at SRNS. This includes treatment and remediation of contaminated groundwater. Among contaminants present in water resources, hazardous heavy metals and radioactive contaminants are the main concerns in the DOE complex. With the advent of nanotechnology, new remediation technologies have emerged. AuNPs have unique optical properties and enormous surface areas, making them good candidates for water remediation. They can be functionalized with ligands, e.g. citrate and L-cysteine, allowing them to serve as an excellent platform for environmental stewardship applications. Objectives: 1. Nanomaterial development and characterization Ligand-modified AuNPs: (a) in solution and (b) on stainless steel wool filters 2. Nanomaterial evaluation for efficiency and selectivity of heavy metal uptake, including Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+}. Materials and Methods: Chloroauric acid (HAuCl{sub 4}), sodium citrate (reducing and capping agent); Stainless steel wool (SSW) was used as a support and filter; L-cysteine- ligand for surface functionalization; Zinc acetate and copper nitrate: heavy metal ions contaminants. Au NPs were prepared by wet chemistry methods. They were characterized by UV-Vis, Zeta sizer and potential, SEM, EDS and EDS mapping to understand their physico-chemical properties. Results and Discussions: Surface modification of AuNPs with surfactants changes their optical properties. Citrate capped AuNPs demonstrate high loading capacity for both heavy metals. L-cysteine capped AuNPs demonstrate high loading capacity for Zn{sup 2+}. Citrate capped AuNPs have excellent sensitivity towards heavy metal ions (0.05 mM can be detected). L-cysteine capped AuNPs can detect heavy metal ions at low concentrations, making them useful for sensing. Conclusions: AuNPs in solution and on SSW were successfully synthesized and characterized. Two functional sensing and remediation technologies - colorimetric sensor and AuNP-treated filters - were developed through wet chemistry methods. AuNP SSW filters exhibit different characteristics (size, shape, etc.) than AuNPs in solution and are efficient at the uptake of heavy metal ions.
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 23005515
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-21-WM-P37; TRN: US21V1496045849
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM2019: 45. Annual Waste Management Conference, Phoenix, AZ (United States), 3-7 Mar 2019; Other Information: Country of input: France; available online at: https://www.xcdsystem.com/wmsym/2019/index.html
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CITRATES
COPPER NITRATES
CYSTEINE
DRINKING WATER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GOLD
GROUND WATER
HEAVY METALS
LIGANDS
NANOMATERIALS
NANOTECHNOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
REMEDIAL ACTION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SENSITIVITY
SENSORS
STAINLESS STEELS
SURFACTANTS
ZINC