Bimetallic ZVI nanoparticles for the removal of selenate ions from simulated FGD wastewater

Abstract

Bimetallic ZVI nanoparticles containing several promising base metals (Cu, Ni, and Co) were synthesized and investigated for the removal of selenate ions from simulated FGD wastewater. This study provided improved fundamental understanding of the relationships between the bimetallic ZVI nanoparticle structure and reactivity in Se⁶⁺ reduction. Detailed structural characterization of bimetallic ZVI nanoparticles by TEM, EDS, XPS, and XRD combined with selenate reduction kinetics is presented. The importance of the standard reduction potential difference between two metals in bimetallic ZVI for galvanic reduction as well as structural characteristics in Se⁶⁺ reduction are demonstrated.