Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are prominent compounds in a recently recognized group of emerging organic environmental contaminants known as perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS). Decades of employment in products that are still on the market today have presented a grave concern for remediation efforts. Unfortunately, the challenges we face today with PFAS are similar to those we have faced in the past with other pervasive contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, and to those we will certainly face in the future with unrecognized pollutants currently being produces and used without full consideration of long-term effects. Although these compounds possess advantageous qualities – such as that of PFOS in the role of fire-fighting foams, we must take responsibility for the anthropogenic hazards that threaten our global health. This entails being able to remediate problems created from overuse of toxic substances that could negatively impact our future and hinder access to clean water. This work investigates the development and effectiveness of nanocomposite adsorbents that possess magnetic properties through integration of iron oxide nanoparticles. Crosslinked polymer networks consisting of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) were synthesized in order to create PFAS specific high affinity binding sites for contaminants within the nanocomposites. Ultimately, polymeric adsorbents that can readily separate bound organics from polluted water sources using magnetic decantation and be regenerated via thermal destabilization of the polymer matrix for contaminant release are produced. Adsorbents and particles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Pollutant binding studies were performed to determine binding affinity and capacity, which were quantified using liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer. The materials have been demonstrated to effectively bind PFOA and PFOS in aqueous media with similar kinetics and capacity as some well-known (albeit non-selective) adsorbents used for water treatment.

Magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents for the selective capture and removal of PFAS from contaminated water systems

2019 Spring National Meeting

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