Remediation of heavy metals polluted environment using Fe-based nanoparticles: Mechanisms, influencing factors, and environmental implications

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2020-09, Vol.264, p.114728-114728, Article 114728
• Main Authors: Latif, Abdul, Sheng, Di, Sun, Kai, Si, Youbin, Azeem, Muhammad, Abbas, Aown, Bilal, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fe-based NPs; Heavy metals; Mechanism; Remediation; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114728

Environmental pollution by heavy metals (HMs) has raised considerable attention due to their toxic impacts on plants, animals and human beings. Thus, the environmental cleanup of these toxic (HMs) is extremely urgent both from the environmental and biological point of view. To remediate HMs-polluted environment, several nanoparticles (NPs) such as metals and its oxides, carbon materials, zeolites, and bimetallic NPs have been documented. Among these, Fe-based NPs have emerged as an effective choice for remediating environmental contamination, due to infinite size, high reactivity, and adsorption properties. This review summarizes the utilization of various Fe-based NPs such as nano zero-valent iron (NZVI), modified-NZVI, supported-NZVI, doped-NZVI, and Fe oxides and hydroxides in remediating the HMs-polluted environment. It presents a comprehensive elaboration on the possible reaction mechanisms between the Fe-based NPs and heavy metals, including adsorption, oxidation/reduction, and precipitation. Subsequently, the environmental factors (e.g., pH, organic matter, and redox) affecting the reactivity of the Fe-based NPs with heavy metals are also highlighted in the current study. Research shows that Fe-based NPs can be toxic to living organisms. In this context, this review points out the environmental hazards associated with the application of Fe-based NPs and proposes future recommendations for the utilization of these NPs. [Display omitted] •Fe-based NPs showed a substantial potential to remediate the heavy metals-polluted environment.•Fe-based NPs-heavy metals interaction mechanisms included adsorption, oxidation/reduction, and precipitation.•The environmental factors significantly affected the reactivity of Fe-based NPs with heavy metals.•Fe-based NPs toxicity, associated risks, and future recommendations were presented.