Tailoring Fe⁰ Nanoparticles via Lattice Engineering for Environmental Remediation

Abstract

Lattice engineering of nanomaterials holds promise in simultaneously regulating their geometric and electronic effects to promote their performance. However, local microenvironment engineering of Fe 0 nanoparticles (nFe 0 ) for efficient and selective environmental remediation is still in its infancy and lacks deep understanding. Here, we present the design principles and characterization techniques of lattice-doped nFe 0 from the point of view of microenvironment chemistry at both atomic and elemental levels, revealing their crystalline structure, electronic effects, and physicochemical properties. We summarize the current knowledge about the impacts of doping nonmetal p-block elements, transitionmetal d-block elements, and hybrid elements into nFe 0 crystals on their local coordination environment, which largely determines their structure−property−activity relationships. The materials' reactivity−selectivity trade-off can be altered via facile and feasible approaches, e.g., controlling doping elements' amounts, types, and speciation. We also discuss the remaining challenges and future outlooks of using lattice-doped nFe 0 materials in real applications. This perspective provides an intuitive interpretation for the rational design of lattice-doped nFe 0 , which is conducive to real practice for efficient and selective environmental remediation.

Impacts of Perfluoroalkyl Substances on Aqueous and Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Dechlorination by Sulfidized Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron

“…Sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nFe 0 ) has been recognized as a better version than nFe 0 for groundwater remediation. − Sulfidation can alter the physicochemical properties of nFe 0 particles (e.g., accelerated electron transfer, increased hydrophobicity, and inhibited H adsorption) by changing their geometric and electronic structure, thereby improving the materials’ performance for contaminant reductions. − The reactivity and selectivity of S-nFe 0 with TCE could be increased to 3–54 times and 9–160 times higher than those of nFe 0 , respectively. ,, Both S content and S speciation are crucial factors that determine the structure–property–activity relationships of materials, and S speciation plays a more significant role in the hydrophobicity of materials compared to S content. ,,, Meanwhile, PFASs could be adsorbed by nFe 0 and S-nFe 0 through hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, which were affected by the properties of PFASs and the surface corrosion products of nFe 0 particles . However, it is unclear how coexisting PFASs affect TCE degradation by S-nFe 0 or if S speciation could change this effect.…”