In the United States, wastewater deposits from industrial scale manufacturers have resulted in the inescapable contamination of freshwater sources with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The two most abundant contaminants from the PFAS family are perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Once consumed, PFAS remain in adipose tissue with an average half-life between two to nine years. Outside the body, PFAS degradation to completion has been approximated to nearly 100 years. Awareness of the immanent dangers these compounds impose upon human health and that of nature has been severely bottlenecked by the current lack in methods of detection available for the presence of PFAS. Modern techniques in use by the EPA (EPA Method 537) for water quality testing include SPE (Solid Phase Extraction)/ion dilutions which are effective but unfortunately are also subject to several drawbacks. Roughly 60% of the time required to complete these standardized methods is consumed by sample preparation, specifically when complex samples are too dilute or even too dirty for definite quantification. Atmospheric-solids-analysis-probe mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS) overcomes these drawbacks as complex sample solutions, in this case containing various polymers, are directly volatilized from the tip of a glass capillary tube by constant directional bombardment of heated desolvation N<sub>2</sub> gas towards the inlet of the spectrometer. Ionization occurs as the vaporized compound passes through a corona discharge of 2-4 kV. ASAP-MS is of remarkable interest as it also allows for the solvent-free analysis of the relatively insoluble family of fluorinated polymers (PFAS) in minute concentrations. This method will be useful when assaying contaminants in water samples of unknown composition as it produces relatively high ion abundance with great sensitivity. Although ASAP can identify fluorosurfactants such as PFOS and PFOA, the widespread need to analyze larger quantities of samples is restricted by its manual operation. This research has been focused on developing a universal, cost-effective, and operator-friendly, automated ASAP ionization source, allowing for an exponential increase in the number of samples one can analyze, therefore promoting nationwide initiatives to normalize increased drinking water safety standards.

Detection of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances through automation of ASAP

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

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