Over the years, toxic chlorinated organics that are present in soil and groundwater, have attracted much attention due to their adverse effect on human and environment. Various methods have been developed to destroy these organochlorines into environmentally benign compounds. Nanoparticles have been applied in various branches of catalysis for the high selectivity and reaction rates. Applicaton of multimetallic nanoparticle system as catalysts for this purpose offer a great advantage over other methods in terms of reaction rates and reaction conditions. Extensive studies have been done in area of destruction of these toxic compounds using Zero Valent Iron (ZVI). Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) containing granular ZVI have been shown to be effective for the remediation of chlorinated organic solvents in contaminated aquifer. However, recent studies show that multimetallic nanoparticles, alternated reaction mechanism increase the catalytic activity and hence dechorination efficiency.

Objective of this research includes analysis of the background of dechlorination and nanoparticles in catalysis, surface functionalization of the inert membrane surface which acts as polymer matrix for Fe nanoparticles, prepare Fe nanoparticles in this polymer matrix, add Pd to this iron nanoparticle to get Fe-Pd bimetallic nanosized particles, characterize modified and unmodified membrane and the bimetallic nanoparticle for their concentration. Reaction meachnisms and kinetics of the dechlorination by these matrix embedded nanoparticles will be studied and also focus will be on detailed modeling of the chloro-organic degradation.

This work is funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences(NIEHS-SBRP).