1. The Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles on the Adsorption of TCE by PAC in Water Treatment
Sara Bagley1, Scott.,Ketcham2, Dr. George, Sorial3, Hafiz Salih4
Florence, KY, Erpenbeck Elementary; 2Cincinnati, OH, Pre-Service Teacher, University of Cincinnati;
3Cincinnati, OH, EPA; 3 Cincinnati, Ohio, University of Cincinnati
Funded by
EEC
Results
Figure 1. shows Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image of TiO2 in water. This image reveals a wide range of particle size indicating aggregation possibilities of TiO2 in water.
The log values of Ce and qe were plotted for each isotherm set created. Figure2 shows the plotted data for TCE Adsorption in presences and absences of TiO2 NPs. Without HA Figure 3 illustrates the adsorption TCE isotherms in presences of 5mg/l HA and presences and absence TiO2 NPs.
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to test the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) on activated carbons (AC) ability to adsorb trichloroethylene (TCE) a volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The results drawn from the data can be interpreted in two ways TiO2 has no effect, on adsorption or that it does not attach to the AC for a long enough time to have an effect.
Figure 1. TEM Image of the TiO2 NPs in Water
Methods
Prepare standards
Calibration curve
Prepare Isotherms
Measure Activated Carbon
Prepare Stock Solution
Fill Bottles containing AC
Place in tumbler
Filter out carbon
Place in GC- Gas Chromatogher
Analyze Results
Introduction
In our society today there are many issues associated with sustainability and the future health of people. One of the biggest areas of concern is with safe drinking water. With the growing use of NPs in our everyday life. Concerns are growing on the effectiveness of modern filtration processes being adequate. This Experiment tests AC ability to remove TCE in the presences and absences of TIO2 NPs and the presences and absences of Humic Acid(HA).
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Conclusions
Two conclusions can be drawn from our experimental data plotted in figures 2 and 3. One that there is no impact on the adsorption of TCE by AC with the presences of TiO2 and in the presences of and absences of HA; the other explanation could be that the attachment of the TiO2 NPs on the PAC is of a weak nature and over the 10 days in the tumbler becomes detached from the AC. This can explain why we did not see any impact on Ac adsorption of TCE with increasing amounts of TiO2 NPs.
Acknowledgements
Andrea Burrow, Anat Kukreti,
Hafiz Salih, Dr. Sorial
Experimental Strategy
The table top experimental method was used to conduct this experiment.