Degradation of Carbon Tetrachloride by nanoscale Zero‐Valent Iron @ magnetic Fe3O4: Impact of reaction condition,Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Mechanism

Nano‐scale zero‐valent Iron (nZVI) attached on the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared and creatively applied in the reductive dechlorination of Carbon Tetrachloride (CT). The characterization results of the synthesized composite indicated a main component of nZVI particles assembled on the surface of Fe₃O₄ with a layer of iron‐oxide film on the periphery, of which the dispersibility was better and the specific surface area was larger. The effects of different reaction conditions like temperature, initial pH values, Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ dosage and initial CT concentrations on the removal of CT were evaluated. Under the optimum conditions, the Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ composites showed a CT removal efficiency of 89.1% in 60 min, which was much greater than that of nZVI (61.7%) and Fe₃O₄ particles (14.3%). The removal process obeyed the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model. Synergy effects of the constituents in the composite which can promote the relative rates of mass transfer to reactive sites were proposed to be existed and the magnetism of Fe₃O₄ could help to overcome the aggregation and surface passivation problem of nZVI. Thus, Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in our study can effectively complete the reductive dechlorination of CT and an improved nZVI catalyst is provided for the remediation of chlorinated organic compounds.