How can nano iron particles helps to purify water?
Iron’s cleansing power stems from the simple fact that it rusts, or oxidizes. Contaminants such as trichloroethene, carbon tetrachloride, dioxins or PCBs are caught up in the oxidizing reaction and break down into simple carbon compounds that are far less toxic. The oxidizing iron also reduces dangerous heavy metals such as lead, nickel, mercury or even uranium. Iron itself has no known toxic effect — just as well, considering the element is abundant in rocks, soil, water, and just about everything else on the planet. Unlike bacteria, the iron particles aren’t affected by soil acidity, temperature, or nutrient levels. Moreover, because the nanoparticles are between 1 and 100 nanometers in diameter, which is about ten to a thousand times smaller than most bacteria, the tiny iron crystals can actually slip in between water and soil particles and avoid getting trapped.
