This study was to investigate the reaction behavior of nanoscale [Fe3O4]MgO and trichlorothylene (TCE) in aqueous solutions. In addition, effects of environmental variables on TCE removal from a simulated groundwater system were investigated. At first, two types of metal oxide composites containing both nanoscale Fe3O4 and MgO (designated H-[Fe3O4]MgO and S-[Fe3O4]MgO, respectively) were prepared. Then they were characterized and verified by various apparatuses and methods including X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, specific surface area measurements. Since the substrate of S-[Fe3O4]MgO with a molar ratio of Fe3O4/MgO = 1/5 (designated S1/5-[Fe3O4]MgO) had a much greater specific surface area than that of the substrate of S-[Fe3O4]MgO with a molar ratio of Fe3O4/MgO = 5/5 (designated S5/5-[Fe3O4]MgO), S1/5-[Fe3O4]MgO was selected as the model composite for the treatment of TCE in this study. Results of batch tests showed that S1/5-[Fe3O4]MgO had the best treatment performance among various metal oxides and their composites. For an initial TCE concentration of 10 mg/L, however, only 45% removal could be achieved by 5.0 g/L of dispersed S1/5-[Fe3O4]MgO. Nevertheless, a greater removal efficiency could be obtained for a higher initial TCE concentration in a simulated groundwater system. Test results also showed that a lower temperature and higher pH would retard the relevant reaction rates in TCE removal. In the simulated groundwater system employed in this work, the existence of humic acid (< 10 mg/L) played an insignificant role in affecting the TCE removal. Analysis of TCE adsorption on S1/5-[Fe3O4]MgO in aqueous solution indicated that a Langmuir-type of chemical adsorption would have a better fit. Results of gas chromatography further showed the existence of small to trace amounts of TCE degradation products including cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, ethene and methane, etc. Thus, the relevant reaction mechanisms and pathways for the destructive adsorption were proposed.

This study was to investigate the reaction behavior of laboratory-prepared nanoscale adsorbents (Fe3O4 and H-[Fe3O4]MgO) and inorganic pollutants (NO3-, Cd2+and Cr6+) in simulated groundwater. First, Fe3O4 and the composites of nanoscale Fe3O4 and MgO were prepared using chemical co-precipitation method. Then they were characterized and verified by various apparatuses and methods including X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Zetasizer, and specific surface area measurements. Second, the nanoscale adsorbents were used to adsorb inorganic pollutants in simulated groundwater of different conditions. The relevant reaction behavior and mechanisms were also investigated. Results of this research showed that Fe3O4 and H-[Fe3O4]MgO had the greater adsorption amount when the initial concentration of inorganic pollutants was higher than lower. The adsorption rate of inorganic pollutants at 28¢J was greater than that of at 18¢J. The experimental results also showed that at a higher pH environment or the existence of humic acid in simulated groundwater would increase the removal efficiency of Cd2+, but decrease the removal efficiency of NO3- and Cr6+. Analysis of inorganic pollutants adsorption on nanoscale adsorbents in simulated groundwater indicated that a Langmuir-type of chemical adsorption and pseudo-second-order reaction kinetic equation would have better fit. In this study, it was also found that nanoscale adsorbents not only adsorbed inorganic pollutants but also reduced NO3- and Cr6+ to NO2-, NH4+, and Cr3+ at pH=3, respectively. Thus, the nanoscale adsorbents (Fe3O4 and H-[Fe3O4]MgO) prepared and were capable of reductively adsorbing inorganic pollutants (e.g., NO3- and Cr6+) for environmental remediation.