Enhanced colloidal stability of nanoscale zero valent iron particles in the presence of sodium silicate water glass

A method for the stabilization of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) particles using silica was developed. Stabilization can significantly improve the performance characteristics of currently available nZVI products containing agglomerated particles. In the first step of the method, the agglomerates were broken using a sonication. A subsequent stabilizing effect was brought about by the deposition of silica onto the surface of the nZVI particles. The method was tested on three commercially available nZVI suspensions which formed agglomerates with mean sizes ranging from 1000 to 5000 nm. The application of the method resulted in a significant reduction of the mean size of the agglomerates to the values from 100 to 200 nm. The stabilizing effect of silica was also evidenced using scanning electron microscopy, zeta potential measurements and sedimentation analysis. The introduction of typical groundwater ions did not significantly affect the colloidal stability of the treated nZVI suspensions. The results of this study indicate that the silica coating have the potential to protect nZVI against agglomeration.