Nanoscale zero-valent iron composites for uranium-contaminated water treatment and environmental remediation: a review

Abstract

With the development of nuclear power and the nuclear industry, some uranium-containing wastewater will inevitably be released into the environment, which poses a threat to human health and the environment. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and its composites can be used to treat uranium-contaminated water because of its large specific surface area, many active centres and high adsorption capacity. This review proposed a matrix loaded zero-valent iron, including bimetals, inorganic materials, carbon materials, and organic and porous framework materials. The latest research progress of various nZVI-based composites in removing uranium from aqueous solutions was reviewed. A detailed introduction to the preparation methods, removal mechanisms, and environmental factors affecting the removal performance of nZVI and its composite materials was provided. The advantages and disadvantages of nZVI and its composite materials for uranium removal were analyzed, and loading methods conducive to solving the dispersion and agglomeration problems of nZVI were emphasized. Finally, the application prospects of nZVI and its composites in the remediation of uranium-contaminated water were briefly proposed, and the application prospects in environmental remediation were discussed.

Graphical abstract: Nanoscale zero-valent iron composites for uranium-contaminated water treatment and environmental remediation: a review

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
09 jul 2024
Accepted
18 sep 2024
First published
24 sep 2024

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024, Advance Article

Nanoscale zero-valent iron composites for uranium-contaminated water treatment and environmental remediation: a review

Y. Zhu, S. Chen, Z. Li, H. Li, M. Shaban and C. Chen, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2024, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4EN00613E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements