Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) has a high adsorption capacity for heavy metals,
but it forms aggregates easily. In this study, zeolite-supported nanoscale zero-valent
iron (Z-NZVI) was synthesized from a simplified liquid-phase reduction of iron(III)
salts which simultaneously adsorbed As(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution
and soil. Scanning electron micrographs showed that aggregation was eliminated and
the NZVI evenly dispersed onto the surface of zeolite. FTIR spectra reveal that NZVI
was protected from oxidization on the surface of Z-NZVI. XRD and XPS patterns confirmed
the formation of Cd(OH)2, Pb0, and FeAsO4 in Z-NZVI after adsorption. The experimental
maximum adsorption capacity of Z-NZVI was 11.52mg As(III)/g, 48.63mg Cd(II)/g, and
85.37mg Pb(II)/g at pH 6, respectively, much higher than that of zeolite. Batch experiments
indicate that various adsorption mechanisms including electrostatic adsorption, ionic
exchange, oxidation, reduction, co-precipitation, and complexation coexisted with
the selected heavy metals. Due to the formation of multiphase compounds on the Z-NZVI,
the synergy and competition among heavy metals were concurrent. Most arsenic, cadmium
and lead in the soil samples were immobilized after mixing with 30g/kg Z-NZVI. These
results suggest that Z-NZVI has great potential for treating water and soil multi-contaminated
with heavy metals.