Increasing the electron selectivity of nanoscale zero-valent iron in environmental remediation: A review

Nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) have been used for groundwater remediation and wastewater treatment due to their high reactivity, high adsorption capacity and nontoxicity. However, side reactions generally occur in tandem with the target contaminants removal process, resulting in poor electron selectivity (ES) of nZVI, and subsequently restricting its commercial application. Major efforts to increase ES of nZVI have been made in recent years. This review’s objective is to provide a progress report on the significant developments in nZVI’s ES during the past decade. Firstly, the definition of ES and its quantification approaches were documented, and the intrinsic (i.e. particle size, crystallinity, and surface area) and extrinsic factors (i.e. solutions pH, target contaminant concentration, and presence of co-contaminants) affecting the ES of nZVI were reported. The latest techniques for increasing ES were summarized in detail, with reference made to sulfidation, magnetization, carbon loading and other features. Then the mechanisms of those strategies for ES enhancement were described. Finally, some constructive suggestions on future research directions concerning nZVI’s ES in the future were proposed.