Written Report Nanoremediation Luis M. Ortiz Jordan

Universidad Metropolitana
Recinto de Cupey
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Written Report: Nanoremediation
Luis M. Ortiz Jordan

S00565396
ENMG 510
Prof. Ajay Kumar
Nanotechnology is often regarded as one of the most promising modern technologies of the
day. Nanotechnology is defined as the manipulation of natter on an atomic, molecular and
supramolecular scale, in other words, the creation of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles (abbreviated
as NPs) are particles between 1-100 nm in size with different shapes, sizes and properties. The
properties are size-dependent, in other words, can vary depending on the size of the particles.
Such properties include: shape, fluorescence, solution colors, size, substance and surface
plasmon resonance (Fig, 1, 2, 3 and 4). Since NPs properties can vary much, it is important to
know what synthesis and use is going to be given to them. NPs are a bridge between bulk
materials and atomic or molecular structures. A bulk material should have constant physical
properties regardless of its size, but at the nano-scale size-dependent properties are often
observed. Thus, the properties of materials change as their size approaches the nanoscale and
as the percentage of atoms at the surface of a material becomes significant.
Nanoparticles can be synthesized by various methods. No matter the method, these are
divided in two major groups:
Top-Down
Via Attrition/Milling (Fig. 5): this process involves various mechanical thermal
yields. From large particles, these are broken into extremely small pieces. The
disadvantages are: low yield, multiple NPs sizes and contaminants.
Bottom Up
Various reactions, most common is:
Solvothermal reaction (Fig 6): this reaction involves using a precursor

(salt) that contains the element or material of interest. It is added in a hot
solvent with a oxidizing/reducing agent that extracts the material, and
helps the nanoparticles do grow little by little. The advantages of this
procedure are: high yield, uniform NPs morphology (form and size) and
its low cost production.
Nanoremediation is the use of nanoparticles for environmental remediation. It is a emerging

technology that is being highly being explored to treat ground water, wastewater, soil, sediment,
or other contaminated environmental materials. Nanoremediation is an emerging industry; by
2009, nanoremediation technologies had been documented in at least 44 cleanup sites around
the world, being most common in the United States. In Europe, nanoremediation is being
investigated by the EC funded NanoRem Project. A report produced by the NanoRem
consortium has identified around 70 nanoremediation projects worldwide at pilot or full scale.
During nanoremediation, a nanoparticle agent must be brought into contact with the target
contaminant under conditions that allow a detoxifying or immobilizing reaction. This process
typically involves a pump-and-treat process or in situ application.
Nanoremediation has 3 major applications:
Groundwater remediation (Fig. 7 and 8): it is the most common application of

nanoremediation. This remediation mainly uses zero-valent metals (ZVMs), an
example is Zero Valent Iron (nZVI). The application is an emerging approach that
is promising due to the availability and effectiveness of many nanomaterials for
degrading or sequestering contaminants these nanoparticles need agent that can
serve as a catalyst and a stability agent to boost up its use. Palladium is on
common type of agent used. These nanoparticles are a highly reactive
reducing/oxidating agent. These particles have the potential to effectively treat
contaminants in situ, avoiding excavation or the need to pump contaminated
water out of the ground. The process begins with nanoparticles being injected
into a contaminated aquifer via an injection well. The nanoparticles are then
transported by groundwater flow to the source of contamination. Upon contact,
nanoparticles can sequester contaminants (via adsorption or complexation),
immobilizing them, or they can degrade the contaminants to less harmful

compounds.
Surface water treatment: the use of various nanomaterials, including carbon

nanotubes and TiO2, shows promise for treatment of surface water, including for
purification, disinfection, and desalination.[9] Target contaminants in surface
waters include heavy metals, organic contaminants, and pathogens. In this
context, nanoparticles may be used as sorbents, as reactive agents
(photocatalysts or redox agents), or in membranes used for nanofiltration.
Trace contaminant detection and elimination: most instruments that operate

outside of the laboratory have a low sensitivity level. Due to the latter, most
contaminants must be taken and analyzed in a laboratory and some
contaminants can be affected on their trip to the laboratory. This can be time
consuming and expensive. Resent research has helped to create certain
techniques to help identify trace contaminants. These include :
Analyte separation: nanoparticles can absorb the contaminants, which then can
be separated in the lab. This way the contaminants can be condensed for
research analisis. Also known as solid-phase microextraction.
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: this technique is extremely sensitive

and can be used outside the lab. Nanoparticles are added to the sample taken, it
scatters and amplifies the raman waves, which then are detected by a
spectrometer.
Refrences:
-Boyser, Earl. Nanoparticle Applications and Uses. Received from
http://www.understandingnano.com/nanoparticles.html
-Mandal, Ananya. What are Nanoparticles?. Received from http://www.news-medical.net/lifesciences/What-are-Nanoparticles.aspx
-Hammond, J.L, Bhalla, N., Rafie, S.D., Estrela, P. (2014, June 20). Localized Surface Plasmon
Resonance as a Biosensing Platform for Developing Countries. Received from
http://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/4/2/172
-Overney, R. (2010) Nanoparticle Synthesis. Received from
http://courses.washington.edu/overney/NME498_Material/NME498_Lectures/Lecture4Overney-NP-Synthesis.pdf
-Grieger, K.D., Rune, H., Rice, J., Humar, N., Bang, J. (2015, July 8) Nano-remediation: tiny
particles cleaning up big environmental problems. Received from
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/nanoremediation.pdf
-http://www.nanorem.eu/displayfaq.aspx?id=2

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Universidad Metropolitana

Written Report: Nanoremediation

Luis M. Ortiz Jordan

Various reactions, most common is:

Solvothermal reaction (Fig 6): this reaction involves using a precursor

Nanoremediation is the use of nanoparticles for environmental remediation. It is a emerging

Groundwater remediation (Fig. 7 and 8): it is the most common application of

immobilizing them, or they can degrade the contaminants to less harmful

Surface water treatment: the use of various nanomaterials, including carbon

Trace contaminant detection and elimination: most instruments that operate

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: this technique is extremely sensitive

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