LAUSR

Abstract Trichloroethylene (TCE) is chloride organic solvent used in industrial process and frequently detected as one of contaminants in groundwater. In present study, nano zero valent iron-nickel composite (nZVI-Ni) was prepared successfully by ion exchange process and investigated as a proficient sodium persulfate (SPS) activator for the removal of TCE in Fenton-like oxidation system. The physico-chemical characteristics, structure, and surface morphology of the prepared nZVI-Ni nanocomposite was analyzed through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, transition electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental results obtained from batch tests in lab showed that more than 95% of TCE could be removed efficiently at nZVI-Ni/SPS/TCE molar ratio of 4/4/1 within 120 min at 20 °C. Further scavenging tests were designed to examine the presence of HO , SO4 − and O2− radicals and verified the major role of HO radical in the nZVI-Ni/SPS system for the complete removal of TCE. Moreover, the generation of HO radicals in the system was confirmed through electrons paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of nZVI-Ni composite. The influence of surfactants on TCE removal was tested and the results showed that the percentage removal of TCE was recorded as 97.75%, 95.63% and 77.50% in the presence of Tween-80, BRIJ-35 and TX-100 surfactants at the nZVI-Ni/SPS/TCE molar ratio of 80/80/1, respectively. Results of TCE degradation in real groundwater revealed that nZVI-Ni can be applicable and is a promising catalyst for TCE removal in in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) practice. In Summary, these significant findings strongly demonstrate the feasibility and potential of nZVI-Ni activated SPS process as an alternative technique for TCE contaminated groundwater remediation.