Cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma can generate various oxidizing and reducing species at ambient temperature and pressure. Conventional wastewater treatment methods mostly rely on oxidative techniques. Recent studies have shown that the reducing species generated by plasma are responsible for the inactivation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). The EPA has released a health advisory for PFAAs, present in wastewater and drinking water. PFAAs can accumulate in the body and cause adverse health effects, an environmental issue. A pin-to-water glow discharge DC plasma is being used as the CAP source. Work is being done detailing the oxidative and reductive species generated by our CAP in both positive and reverse polarities. Reversing the polarities changes the concentration of the chemical species and reducing species being injected into the water. Plasma was ignited in three different gases Argon, Argon + 20% Oxygen, and air to offer a diverse range of chemical species. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were added to distilled water respectively and subject to the plasma ignited in the three different gases in different polarities. The degradation of PFOA and PFOS was analyzed by HPLC, and LC-MS. The mechanism of degradation of PFOA and PFOS is being determined by our CAP.

Detailing the mechanism of degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances by a cold atmospheric pressure plasma

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.