Studying biosorption materials for water PFAS removal in a flow-through configuration

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Engineering

Background:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, globally concerning pollutants due to their recalcitrance.
• Conventional PFAS removal methods (e.g., RO, AC) are often inefficient for long-chain variants and incur high costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pinewood-derived biochar (PW) as a sustainable adsorbent for PFAS removal.
• To evaluate the impact of production temperature, particle size, and CTAB functionalization on biochar performance.
• To assess the feasibility of using PW biochar in a continuous flow system for practical remediation.

Main Methods:

• Pinewood biochar produced at 850 °C and 1000 °C, with varied particle sizes, was synthesized.
• Surface functionalization was achieved using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).
• Adsorption experiments were conducted in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR).

Main Results:

• CTAB-functionalized PW biochar demonstrated significantly enhanced adsorption capacity for long-chain PFAS.
• The performance of functionalized biochar was comparable to commercial activated carbon.
• The study confirmed the efficacy of biochar in dynamic flow conditions within a CSTR.

Conclusions:

• Engineered pinewood biochar presents an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for PFAS remediation.
• This approach offers a sustainable valorization pathway for forestry by-products, aligning with circular economy principles.
• PW biochar is a promising alternative adsorbent for addressing the global challenge of PFAS contamination.