Degradation of DCE and TCE by Fe–Ni nanoparticles immobilised polysulphone matrix

The reduction of dichloroethane (DCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) by bimetallic iron–nickel (Fe–Ni) nanoparticles has been studied in this study. The reduction mechanism involves hydrodechlorination at the iron–nickel interface. The Fe–Ni nanoparticles have been synthesised by the chemical reduction method and immobilised on to a polysulphone matrix. The as-synthesised nanoparticles and Fe–Ni immobilied polysulphone support have been characterised to establish the particle size of the nanoparticles, which are of the order of 36–41 nm, and the physical characteristics of the immobilised support. Batch experiments have been performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to study the degradation of DCE and TCE. The studies have shown that the bimetallic system is quite effective in the dechlorination of DCE and TCE. Also, the stability of the nanoparticles in the matrix has been explored with respect to its suitability for use in the degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons.