Degradation of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers by nanoscale zero-valent metallic particles prepared from steel pickling waste liquor

►Prepared nano zero-valent metal from steel pickling waste liquor (S-NZVI) was proposed. ►S-NZVI presented a great capability of removing BDE209. ►The importance of hydrogen ion in removing BDE209 by S-NZVI has been proved. ►Compared to other metals, S-NZVI is more economical.