Green preparation of nano-zero-valent iron-copper bimetals for nitrate removal: Characterization, reduction reaction pathway, and mechanisms

In this study, green tea was used as a reducing agent to prepare GT-nZVI/Cu nano-zero-valent iron-copper bimetallic materials for nitrate degradation. Through single factor experiments, the process conditions for nitrate removal by GT-nZVI/Cu were optimized. By measuring the contents of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia nitrogen in the reaction products, the reduction pathway of nitrate-nitrogen in GT-nZVI/Cu was studied. In addition, the removal mechanism of nitrate by GT-nZVI/Cu was also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and kinetic experiments. The results showed that the size of GT-nZVI/Cu particles is between 50 and 70 nm, and they are irregular spherical shapes. The polyphenol antioxidants in green tea make GT-nZVI/Cu have stronger antioxidant properties, and the denitration products are mostly nitrogen. The addition of copper ions accelerates the reaction time and reaction rate. The maximum removal rate of nitrate by GT-nZVI/Cu within 75 min can be up to 99 %. After three repeated experiments, the removal rate of GT-nZVI/Cu can still reach 70 %. The removal mechanism of GT-nZVI/Cu has enhanced nitrate removal through complexation, redox, and adsorption co-precipitation. This study provides a new route for the green preparation and efficient application of nZVI.