Comparing three stabilizers for stabilizing FeS nanoparticles: Performance and effects on immobilization of cadmium in water and soil

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated effectiveness of three polysaccharide stabilizers (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and a water-soluble starch) for stabilizing FeS nanoparticles, and tested the stabilized nanoparticles for immobilization of Cd²⁺ in water and soil. Fully stabilized FeS nanoparticles (100 mg/L FeS) were obtained using 0.010 wt% CMC, 0.025 wt% CMS, or 0.065 wt% starch. CMC-FeS showed a highly negative zeta potential, starch-FeS remained neutral, whereas CMS-FeS displayed a moderately negative potential. CMC-FeS showed the fastest sorption rate and highest sorption capacity for Cd²⁺. When a Cd-laden soil (58.3 mg/kg Cd) was amended with 100 mg/L CMC-FeS or CMS-FeS, the TCLP-leachable Cd was reduced by 88.4% and 68.0%, respectively. Both CMC-FeS and CMS-FeS were transportable through a model soil and showed high potential for in-situ immobilization of Cd²⁺ in soil. Nearly complete breakthrough occurred at 4.5 pore volumes (PVs) for CMC-FeS and about 25 PVs for CMS-FeS. When the Cd-laden soil was treated with 55 PVs of CMC-FeS and CMS-FeS suspensions (100 mg/L), the water-leachable soluble Cd was reduced by 98.2% and 98.0%, respectively. The three stabilizers may find their best uses in soil remediation according to the target contaminants, transport properties in soil, and material cost.

Keywords

iron sulfide nanoparticle / stabilizer / heavy metal / contaminant immobilization / soil remediation / groundwater contamination

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