Kinetics of Reduction-Immobilization of Rhenium by Iron Nanoparticles

The kinetic property of reduction-immobilization of rhenium by iron nanoparticles, which may be a functional reagent for the treatment of technetium-containing waste, was investigated under different Re concentration, different temperature, and different pH by using iron nanoparticles freshly prepared by liquid phase reduction method. The involved overall reaction might be written as 2ReO₄^-+2Fe⁰+2H→2ReO₂+Fe₂O₃+H₂O, conforming to pseudo first-order kinetics. The reaction process obeys Arrhenius formula with the apparent activation energy of 5.13 kJ/mol. The treatment of Re with iron nanopartilces will be most effective under neutral, slightly acidic, or slightly alkaline reaction medium.