Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Sciences
Department
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Mohammad Halim
Second Advisor
Dr. Madalynn Marshall
Third Advisor
Dr. Huggins Z. Msimanga
Abstract
Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) have been studied to replace traditional solvents due to their greener characteristics such as adaptability, biodegradability and low toxicity. DESs are used in many applications such as extraction, separation, electrodeposition, battery energy storage, and drug delivery. The high viscosity of DES poses challenges that restrict their effectiveness in applications. Incorporating water as a cosolvent enhances the properties of DES by reducing their viscosity and density. This study aims to synthesize water containing DESs and investigate how water impact the formation of DESs, its phase behavior and eutectic points. Type III and type V DESs were synthesized with and without the presence of water. The DES formation was confirmed by the attenuated total reflection (ATR) coupled with IR spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and principal component analysis (PCA). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in consumer products due to their heat, oil, and degradation resistance. Manufactured products can release PFAS into soil and water. While activated carbon and reverse osmosis can remove PFAS from water, they are expensive and inefficient. In contrast, DES offer a cheaper, non-toxic, and eco-friendly alternative for PFAS extraction. A series of DESs were tested to determine which combinations of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors produce efficient alternative routes of extracting PFAS chemicals from water source. DESs showed an efficiency rate between 69.49% to 98.02%. Menthol-Octanoic Acid DES produced an efficiency rate of 98.02%, which is comparable to other filtration processes, but offers a cost-effective method for PFAS extraction from water.