Magnetite Nanoparticles for Enhanced Environmental Remediation

Luna Innovations Incorporated is developing low-cost commercial-scale magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for the enhanced remediation of contaminated groundwater, The use of nanoparticles for environmental remediation has attracted much attention since the late 90¿s, yet practical application of this nano-scale technology has net several key challenges including particle-particle aggregation and subsequent loss of reactivity, difficulty in application, and prohibitively high cost. In Phase I of this SBIR program, Luna Innovations developed magnetite nanoparticles and stabilizing particle surface coatings and suspension chemistries that offer advantages over conventional zero-valent iron (ZVI) and bimetallic nanoparticles approaches including low-cost, long-term particle stability, and reduced aggregation. Phase I studies demonstrated that the nano-scale Fe3O4 particles had higher reductive dechlorination capacity than that of an equal mass of larger micron-sized particles and were also effective in adsorptive removal of ArsenicIII from solution. Luna is partnering with an existing manufacturer of magnetite for near-term penetration of the $8-10 Billion USD a year global environmental remediation market. End users in this regulation-driven and growing field are continuously seeking advanced tools to cost-efficiently expedite remediation of recalcitrant environmental contaminants and Luna¿s technology addresses their needs. Magnetite nanoparticles may impart a significant cost advantage over popular nano- and micron-scale ZVI and bimetallic particles used for environmental remediation, while retaining comparable or even enhanced capability for contaminant removal or degradation. In Phase I, we identified nanoparticles production processes that can be controlled of ¿tuned¿ to reduce, or perhaps eliminate entirely the formation of toxic intermediated compounds such as chloroform, which may form during the reductive dechlorination of parent chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds. Planned Phase II studies will include optimizing the nanoparticles manufacturing process for more controlled and reproducible particles, refining compatible surface coating and particle stabilization and delivery techniques, expanding the number of contaminants degraded or other wise removed, incorporating the technology with appropriate nanoparticles delivery methods, conducting a field-scale technology verification, and conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Due to their small size, high surface area, superparamagnetic properties, and various other attributes, the proposed nano-scale magnetite particles will have numerous market applications beyond environmental remediation. These applications include use in medical imaging and targeted therapeutics for cancer, processing of plant materials, catalysis, chemical separations, component bonding in the automotive industry, and various others.