Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Western Australia, have modified the structure of iron-based alloys to develop a new type of crystalline alloy, capable of stripping contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes and other organic pollutants from wastewater. The textile and mining industries are believed to be potential areas of application.
Lead researcher, associate professor Laichang Zhang, from ECU’s School of Engineering, says: “Mining and textile production produces huge amounts of wastewater that is contaminated with heavy metals and dyes. We can produce enough crystalline alloy to treat one tonne of wastewater for just $15. Additionally, we can reuse the crystalline alloy up to five times while still maintaining its effectiveness.”
He says this offers significant advantages to the traditional method of treating wastewater using commercial iron powder.
“Firstly, using iron powder leaves you with a large amount of iron sludge that must be stored. Secondly it is expensive to produce and can only be used once,” says Zhang, adding that the crystalline alloy is based on his previous work developing metallic glasses.
“Whereas metallic glasses have a disordered atomic structure, the crystalline alloy we have developed has a more ordered atomic structure,” he says.
“We produced the crystalline alloy by heating metallic glass in a specific way. This modifies the structure, allowing the electrons in the crystalline alloy to move more freely, thereby improving its ability to bind with dye molecules or heavy metals leaving behind useable water.”
Professor Zhang says he is now working with partners in industry to further improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing the crystalline alloy.
Compelling Rejuvenated Catalytic Performance in Metallic Glasses was published on 14 September in the journal Advanced Materials.
