The extract of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was used for synthesizing iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) and the synthesized particles were used for phosphate removal. Green tea polyphenol based Fe-NPs were used in the control experiment. While the particle size of NPs synthesized with the green tea extract ranged from 3 to 11 nm, barley extract produced particles < 3 nm. The barley-based Fe-NPs did not show metallic properties (based on XRD data) as the particles were coated with plant materials. However, the phosphate removal capacity of barley-based Fe-NPs was higher than that of the green tea based Fe-NPs. The nanoparticles (3 g/L) were also used to remove phosphate from municipal wastewater (5-7 mgP/L initial concentration), and up to 98% phosphate removal was achieved. The mechanism of nanoparticle formation was also examined. This study indicates that the barely-based nanoparticles are useful for phosphate recovery from waters. The next phase of experiments will look into the reuse of the nanoparticle-sorbed phosphate for agricultural applications.

Conference/Seminar Presentations:

     Pham, H., Brueggeman, R., and Bezbaruah, A. 2018. Barley-iron nanoparticles for phosphorus remediation. 7th Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization Conference, November 2018, Washington, D.C. (Oral presentation).

     Pham, H. 2018. The synthesis of Fe-polyphenol nanoparticles and their potential application for plant nutrition, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Seminar, North Dakota State University, November 2018, Fargo, North Dakota (Oral Presentation).

     Pham, H. and Bezbaruah, A. 2018. Biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles using green tea extract for the removal of phosphorus from aqueous solution, North Dakota Water Quality Monitoring Conference, March 2018, Bismarck, North Dakota (Poster Presentation).