Influence of metal substitution on goethite redox properties and contaminant reduction

The global push for clean energy has dramatically increased the demand for critical metals like nickel, copper, aluminum, and copper – key materials in technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries. However, sustainably meeting this demand requires a better understanding of how these metals move through and interact with the environment. This research focused on goethite and ferrihydrite, two iron-rich minerals commonly found in soils and sediments. These minerals can naturally incorporate other metals into their structure, a process known as metal substitution. I studied how this substitution changes the mineral’s chemical behavior, particularly their ability to transfer electrons which is a key process that influences both metal mobility and pollutant breakdown.

By substituting different metals into goethite and ferrihydrite, I found that each metal affected the mineral’s reactivity in unique ways. I also discovered a strong relationship between these redox changes and how effectively a mineral could break down nitrobenzene, a model groundwater pollutant. These findings improve our understanding of how critical metals behave in the environment and can help guide more sustainable metal recovery and pollution strategies in the future.