Introduction

Method for the synthesis of micro- and nanoparticles in filtering media or the coating of filtering media themselves by in-situ reduction of metal ions. The method is aimed to the remediation of contaminated aquifers or the production of catalytic filtering media, uses cheap and eco-compatible reagents and allows to overcome limitations connected with injection of nanoparticles produced ex-situ.

Technical features

AquiRem is a method for the formation and deposition of micro- and nanoparticles and coatings, comprising one or more zerovalent metals (ZVM), in filtering media. The main application field is nanoremediation, i.e. the clean-up of polluted aquifers by injection of nanoreagents. The synthesis of ZVM is carried out directly within the filtering media by chemical reduction of metal salts, operated by an inorganic cheap and eco-compatible reductant. The application of an electric field can be used to support the particle formation. The method overcomes the limitations associated to classic nanoremediation, namely the delivery of the colloidal reagents in the aquifer. The injection of aqueous solutions allows, in fact, to achieve high radii of influence, to reduce the probability of clogging and fracturing phenomena and does not require the use of stabilizing agents to improve the particle mobility in the aquifer.

Possible Applications

• Aquifer reclamation;
• Production of reactive filtering media;
• Production of catalytc and photocatalytc filtering media;
• Production of supported nanomaterials;
• Zerovalent particles regeneration in the filtering media.

Advantages

• Micro- and nanoparticles produced in filtering media;
• Use of cheap eco-compatible reagents;
• Reduced costs and technical complexity for the remediation;
• High radii of influence;
• Injection of reagents as solutions;
• Allows control of the area where nanometals are formed.