Processes Affecting Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorinated Solvents by Zero-Valent Iron

摘要

Zero-valent iron may participate in the reductive dechlorination process by three different mechanisms: direct, electrolytic reduction; reduction by hydrogen produced during the corrosion process; and reduction by dissolved (ferrous) iron that is also produced by corroding iron. The first step of electrolytic reduction is presumably, the transfer of one electron from the metal surface to the organic molecule. This results in an organic anion radical that may then lose a halide anion to give a carbon-centered radical, and oxidized iron, which is eventually released to the solution as Fe(2+). The goal of our research is to provide a comprehensive survey of the mechanisms that affect the performance of this reactive barrier technology.