PNNL

Abstract

40-60 nm anatase nanoparticles were coated with an organosilane monolayer terminated with an ethylenediamine (EDA) ligand. This functionalized nanoparticle (FNP) was then treated with an aqueous solution of Cu(II) to create a cationic Cu-EDA complex bound to the nanoparticle surface. The Cu-EDA FNP was then studied for its binding affinity for pertechnetate anion from a Hanford groundwater matrix. The Cu-EDA FNP was also evaluated for its injectability into a porous medium for possible application as a subsurface semi-permeable reactive barrier. Injection was readily accomplished, and resulted in a highly uniform distribution of the FNP sorbent in the test column.