International Journal of ChemTech Research CODEN( USA): IJCRGG ISSN : 0974-4290 Vol.5, No.2, pp 634-639, April-June 2013 ICGSEE-2013[14 th – 16 th March 2013] International Conference on Global Scenario in Environment and Energy Removal of Nitrogenous Heterocyclic Compounds (NHCs) by Nano Zero Valent I ron Vijayalakshmi Gosu and B. R. Gurjar Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India. Corres.author: vijaya.che@gmail.com Abstract: In this study, the low-cost composite, nano-zerovalent iron (nZVI) immobilised on granular activated carbon (GAC) was prepared by using the NaBH 4 reduction method at ethanol atmosphere. The morphology, structure, and composition of nZVI-GAC are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X- Ray Diffraction (XRD) and BET surface area. The presence of support material apparently decreased the extent of aggregation and the size of the nanoparticles thus increases removal efficiency. Batch experiments revealed that nZVI -GAC exhibited an efficient removal of NHCs and by-products could be completely adsorbed onto the composite. Accordingly, it is believed that nZVI -GAC developed in the present study is practically applicable for the NHCs contaminated wastewater. Keywords: Nitrogenous Heterocyclic Compounds; Nano Zero Valent Iron. 1. Introduction Nitrogen heterocyclic compounds are common species found in wastewater effluent, typically from pharmaceutical, coal tar, oil shale, petroleum refinery, and it serves as raw material and solvent in manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, paints, fungicides, and wood treatment chemicals. These NHCs includes pyridine, picoline, lutidine, quinoline, etc. and have paid more attention recently, because of its persistence in the environment and their toxic and carcinogenic potential 1,2 . The Nitrogen atom has incorporated in the ring system which distinctly enhanced the solubility of water. Thereby, the bio-availability is increased with a hasten risk to the environment. Earlier studies show that the traditional technologies (i.e., Biological, physical, and chemical methods) are used for the treatment of NHCs effluents 3,4 and limited success has been achieved because, these processes are less effective for very stable refractory and toxic compounds. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of a technology which shall be effective in degradation of NHCs to innocuous end products at a reasonable and acceptable cost. In current years, Environmental Nanotechnology based treatments are receiving much attention due to their high selectivity, reactivity, low cost and environmentally benign nature. Numerous nano materials have been applied in abatement of contaminants, among that nano zero valent iron (Fe 0 ) has been progressively used in the last decade for degradation of chlorinated organic compounds 5 , Nitro compounds 6 , herbicides 7 , pharmaceuticals 8 and explosives 9 . Furthermore, Fe 0 has been proven to be effective in eliminating a broad range of pollutants. There are still technical challenges associated with this application. For example, nZVI is rapidly oxidized with exposed to air loses its high reactivity. Besides, nZVI particles tend to agglomerate into particles due to the