Rapid reduction of N-nitrosamine disinfection byproducts in water with hydrogen and porous nickel catalysts

Andrew J. Frierdich, John R. Shapley, Timothy J. Strathmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There is a need for new technologies to rapidly and economically treat water contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and related compounds because of their high toxicity and recent detection in drinking water sources as a consequence of industrial releases and chlorine disinfection of wastewater effluent Treatment of N-nitrosamines with H2 in conjunction with a high surface area porous nickel material, a model nonprecious metal catalyst, has been evaluated. Experiments show that NDMA is reduced rapidly and catalytically to dimethylamine and N2 (e.g., t1/2 = 1.5 min for 500 mg/L catalyst and PH2 = 1 atm), and kinetic trends are consistent with a surface-mediated mechanism involving scission of the N-nitrosamine N-N bond and subsequent reactions with adsorbed atomic hydrogen. The metal-loading-normalized pseudo-first-order rate constant (77.9 ± 13.1 L gNi_1 h-1) exceeds values reported for Pd-based catalysts. Several related N-nitrosamines react at rates similar to those of NDMA, indicating a weak dependence on structure. The reaction rates for NDMA reduction are not significantly affected by changing pH, and the presence of high concentrations of many common water constituents (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, and NOM) exerts only a small effect on reaction rates. Nitrate is also reduced by the Ni catalyst, and high nitrate concentrations competitively inhibit the reduction of NDMA. (Bi)sulfide poisons the catalyst by strong chemisorption to the Ni surface. Cost-normalized rate constants for the Ni catalyst are highly favorable compared to Pd-based catalysts, indicating that with further development Ni-based catalysts may become attractive alternatives to precious metal catalysts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-269
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rapid reduction of N-nitrosamine disinfection byproducts in water with hydrogen and porous nickel catalysts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this