Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) have emerged as contaminants with serious concerns due to their detrimental effects on environment and human health. PFAS are used in various applications including polymers, surfactants, film-foams in fire extinguishers, textiles, and coatings; however, these chemicals have high chemical and thermal stability and accumulate in the environment. As a result, PFAS have been detected in ground and surface water, waste water, wildlife and human serum. Toxicological impacts of PFAS is a public health concern and several studies have implicated PFAS as a possible cause for health problems such as cancer and reproductive toxicity.<br/>We present an environmentally friendly approach for the removal of persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using a series of paramagnetic ionic liquids. We extracted PFAS including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) from water using paramagnetic ionic liquids and separated from the aqueous phase by using a magnet. This approach avoids the use of organic solvents for extraction. In addition, we investigated conditions for optimum extraction efficiency and explored the possibility of recycling the paramagnetic ionic liquids for multiple extractions.

Extraction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl pollutants from water using paramagnetic ionic liquids

2019 Fall National Meeting

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