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Influence of pH on the transport of nanoscale zinc oxide in saturated porous media

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Abstract

Widespread use of nanoscale zinc oxide (nZnO) in various fields causes subsurface environment contamination. Even though the transport of dissolved zinc ions in subsurface environments such as soils and sediments has been widely studied, the transport mechanism of nZnO in such environments is poorly understood. In addition, nZnO is often combined with stabilizers or dispersing agents to prevent its aggregation in products. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of pH on the transport properties of pristine nZnO and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) stabilized nZnO (CMC–nZnO) suspensions in silica sand packed column under saturated flow conditions. Transport data were collected at different pHs (pHs: 3, 7, 9, and 11) under 1 mL/min flow rate conditions in a 1.1 cm diameter column. It is found that the transport trends of pristine nZnO and CMC–nZnO were different. For pristine nZnO, mobility of total Zn reached a minimum around its point of zero charge (pH 8.9). Whereas in the case of CMC–nZnO, the mobility of total Zn decreased as the pH of the solution pH increased from 3 to 11. ZnO and Zn ion mixture were separated using diafiltration membrane. It showed that most of the nZnO and CMC–nZnO exists as Zn ion at pH 3 before and after eluting from the sand packed column whereas at pH 11, they exist as particles. This study shows the strong influence of pH and stabilizing agents on nZnO transport. These factors should be considered during subsurface transport of nZnO.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by and conducted at the National Risk Management Research Laboratory of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio. This paper has not been subjected to internal policy review of the U.S. EPA. Therefore, the research results do not necessarily reflect the views of the agency or its policy. Mention of trade names and commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. We thank Dr. Raghuraman Venkatapathy for his helpful suggestions. Authors acknowledge Dr. Mallikarjuna Nadagouda for performing XRD analysis, Mr. Phil Cluxton for constructing column experimental setups and gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance efforts of Ms. Catherine Loftspring and Mr. Jim Voit.

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  1. Pegasus Technical Services, Inc., 46 E. Hollister Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA

    Sushil R. Kanel

  2. National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    Souhail R. Al-Abed

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  1. Sushil R. Kanel
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  2. Souhail R. Al-Abed
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Correspondence to Souhail R. Al-Abed.

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Kanel, S.R., Al-Abed, S.R. Influence of pH on the transport of nanoscale zinc oxide in saturated porous media. J Nanopart Res 13, 4035–4047 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0345-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-011-0345-8

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