ENVNANOMINPREC

The Premise

Many minerals form via an amorphous precursor. These precursors are thermostatically unstable, changing to more stable polymorphs function of environmental conditions. They are interesting due to very high surface area, which makes very efficient sorbents for various applications. During their transformation to crystalline minerals the adsorbed elements are immobilized and sequestered within the transformation end products. In addition, the presence of inorganic co-ions and/or organic (macro) molecules, called additives, in synthesis environment, could lead to partial or total stabilization and functioning of the amorphous phase. This can imply longer time for pollutants uptake. Additives can also change the route for transformation and the type of transformation end products, working as a scaffolding for intermediate and/or end products. Changes of end members morphology as function of additives type, concentration and process conditions have direct impact on particles surface properties (surface area, charge and pore size), which again may impact on pollutants sorption efficiency. This phenomenon was observed occurring naturally, in bio mediated process, but the mechanism of stabilization and kinetics are not yet known. The project focuses on synthesis, characterization and applications of iron oxyhydroxides and carbonate nano-precursors, their transformation kinetic, in situ, in the presence of organics and their applications for wastewater treatments.