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ETD RECORD
Application of iron-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid toward the degradation of organic pollutants and detection of peroxide based explosives
Citation
Laine, Derek Francis.. (2008). Application of iron-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid toward the degradation of organic pollutants and detection of peroxide based explosives. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/etd_248.html
- Title:
- Application of iron-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid toward the degradation of organic pollutants and detection of peroxide based explosives
- Author:
- Laine, Derek Francis.
- Date:
- 2008
- Keywords:
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- Program:
- Chemistry
- Abstract:
- This dissertation discusses new applications of one of the most widely studied metal chelates-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Specifically, the research contained in this dissertation employs the FeEDTA complex. The application of FeEDTA in this work is two-fold.;First, Fe II EDTA takes part in an organic pollutant degradation system named ZEA (Zero valent iron, EDTA, Air) which has been shown to degrade a variety of organic pollutants and chemical warfare agent surrogates. However, the mechanism of the ZEA system was unclear in preliminary studies. It is hypothesized that Fe II EDTA can reduce O 2 dissolved into solution from the atmosphere to form H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s. Fe II EDTA can then react with H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s via the Fenton reaction to produce the potent hydroxyl radical. It is the hydroxyl radical that is thought to oxidize organic pollutants in the ZEA system. This hypothesis was tested in Chapter 3 by constructing an electrochemical analog to the ZEA system. In this case, all iron species are present as Fe II/III EDTA. EDTA was observed to degrade in the electrochemical system. Additionally, the formation of H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s, and HO{middot} was also observed. These results support the proposed hypothesis that Fe II EDTA can activate O{esc}b2{esc}s to form H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s and HO{middot} in the ZEA system. Chapter 4 further explores the O{esc}b2{esc}s reduction capabilities of Fe II EDTA and shows pH dependence to the activation process. Maximum O{esc}b2{esc}s reduction was observed in the pH = 3 region.;Secondly, Fe II/III EDTA was selected as an electrocatalyst to detect a variety of molecules containing a peroxide functionality. Of critical importance is the detection of multi-peroxidic explosive compounds including triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), which have been used or attempted to be used in several terrorist bombings. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 shows that Fe III EDTA can indeed be used as an electrocatalyst toward the detection of TATP, HMTD, hydrogen peroxide, and t-butyl hydroperoxide. The use of Fe II EDTA was limited to hydroperoxides, as the Fenton reaction was not observed with di-alkyl peroxides. However, TATP and HMTD can be easily decomposed to H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s by an acid treatment. Furthermore, Fe II EDTA can be used to detect residual H{esc}b2{esc}sO{esc}b2{esc}s left over from the synthesis of these compounds.
- Description:
- Thesis (Ph. D., Chemistry)--University of Idaho, May 2008.
- Major Professor:
- I. Francis Cheng.
- Defense Date:
- May 2008.
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- xiii, 152 leaves :ill. ;29 cm.
- Format:
- record
Rights
- Rights:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. For more information, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
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