Fluoropolymer sorbent for efficient and selective capturing of per- and polyfluorinated compounds

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant environmental and health risks.
• Effective technologies for removing PFAS from contaminated water sources are urgently needed.
• Current methods face challenges in efficiency, selectivity, and reusability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reusable polymeric sorbent for efficient and selective PFAS removal.
• To evaluate the performance of the sorbent across various contaminated water matrices.
• To demonstrate the practical application of the sorbent in a cartridge system.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of a novel reusable polymeric sorbent (PFPE-IEX+).
• Batch adsorption experiments to determine removal efficiency and sorption capacity for multiple PFAS.
• Testing the sorbent in simulated potable water and landfill leachate.
• Regeneration studies and proof-of-concept cartridge filtration.

Main Results:

• The PFPE-IEX+ sorbent achieved >98% removal efficiency for multiple PFAS types.
• High sorption capacity exceeding 500 mg/g was observed for 11 examined PFAS.
• Efficient PFAS removal was achieved without breakthrough, and the sorbent demonstrated effective regeneration.
• Successful PFAS recovery was shown in a proof-of-concept cartridge setup.

Conclusions:

• The developed PFPE-IEX+ sorbent is a highly efficient and reusable material for capturing diverse PFAS.
• This technology shows promise for treating contaminated water, including drinking water and landfill leachate.
• The study provides a valuable platform for designing advanced PFAS remediation strategies.