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Aqueous-phase catalyzed reduction of organic contaminants via zerovalent copper nanoparticles (nCu0), coupled with borohydride (hydrogen donor), has shown promising results. So far, the research on nCu0 as a remedial treatment has focused mainly on contaminant removal efficiencies and degradation mechanisms. Our study has examined the effects of Cu0/Cun+ ratio, surface poisoning (presence of chloride, sulfides, humic acid (HA)), and regeneration of Cu0 sites on catalytic dechlorination of aqueous-phase 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) via nCu0-borohydride. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the nano size and quasi-spherical shape of nCu0 particles. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of Cu0 and Cu2O and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy also provided the Cu0/Cun+ ratios. Reactivity experiments showed that nCu0 was incapable of utilizing H2 from borohydride left over during nCu0 synthesis and, hence, additional borohydride was essential for 1,2-DCA dechlorination. Washing the nCu0 particles improved their Cu0/Cun+ ratio (1.27) and 92% 1,2-DCA was removed in 7 h with kobs = 0.345 h−1 as compared to only 44% by unwashed nCu0 (0.158 h−1) with Cu0/Cun+ ratio of 0.59, in the presence of borohydride. The presence of chloride (1000–2000 mg L−1), sulfides (0.4–4 mg L−1), and HA (10–30 mg L−1) suppressed 1,2-DCA dechlorination; which was improved by additional borohydride probably via regeneration of Cu0 sites. Coating the particles decreased their catalytic dechlorination efficiency. 85–90% of the removed 1,2-DCA was recovered as chloride. Chloroethane and ethane were main dechlorination products indicating hydrogenolysis as the major pathway. Our results imply that synthesis parameters and groundwater solutes control nCu0 catalytic activity by altering its physico-chemical properties. Thus, these factors should be considered to develop an efficient remedial design for practical applications of nCu0-borohydride.

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