Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Water Using Deep Eutectic Solvents
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Water Resource Management
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are diverse groups of synthetic chemicals containing multiple fluorine atoms attached to the alkyl chain. These compounds are commonly known as ‘forever-chemicals’, due to their extraordinary stability and superior properties. PFAS chemicals are found in the most modern products such as cleaners, aerosol sprays, non-stick cookware, food packaging, fabrics, and firefighting foams. Due to the high presence of these chemicals in manufactured products, PFAS can leach into the soil and then contaminate water supplies. Removal of these chemicals from water poses great challenges. Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are emerging green solvents with promising usages in a variety of applications. These solvents have been linked to extracting various bioactive compounds from plant products, foods, and pharmaceuticals. However, very few studies are reported to remove PFAS using DESs solvents. The overall aim of this study is to develop a DES screening method for the effective removal of PFAS from water utilizing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. For preliminary studies, two DESs including Camphor: Menthol and Menthol: Octanoic Acid were synthesized by heating and stirring two components for over one hour. For extraction, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid, an important PFAS) solution was prepared in water and added with DES in 1: 2 ratios (w/w). The DES: PFOA solution was then vortex and centrifuged to establish a bilayer suitable for accurate separation. The water phase solution was collected and run in the liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine the amount transferred to DES phase. A calibration curve of PFOA was established using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry varying the concentration of PFOA from 0.1 micromolar to 50 micromolar. Our preliminary results showed that camphor and menthol show promise in the extraction of PFOA from water, meanwhile other DESs such as menthol: octanoic acid will be tested to compile DES solvents suitable for PFOA extraction from water supplies.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mohammad Halim
Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Water Using Deep Eutectic Solvents
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are diverse groups of synthetic chemicals containing multiple fluorine atoms attached to the alkyl chain. These compounds are commonly known as ‘forever-chemicals’, due to their extraordinary stability and superior properties. PFAS chemicals are found in the most modern products such as cleaners, aerosol sprays, non-stick cookware, food packaging, fabrics, and firefighting foams. Due to the high presence of these chemicals in manufactured products, PFAS can leach into the soil and then contaminate water supplies. Removal of these chemicals from water poses great challenges. Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are emerging green solvents with promising usages in a variety of applications. These solvents have been linked to extracting various bioactive compounds from plant products, foods, and pharmaceuticals. However, very few studies are reported to remove PFAS using DESs solvents. The overall aim of this study is to develop a DES screening method for the effective removal of PFAS from water utilizing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. For preliminary studies, two DESs including Camphor: Menthol and Menthol: Octanoic Acid were synthesized by heating and stirring two components for over one hour. For extraction, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid, an important PFAS) solution was prepared in water and added with DES in 1: 2 ratios (w/w). The DES: PFOA solution was then vortex and centrifuged to establish a bilayer suitable for accurate separation. The water phase solution was collected and run in the liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine the amount transferred to DES phase. A calibration curve of PFOA was established using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry varying the concentration of PFOA from 0.1 micromolar to 50 micromolar. Our preliminary results showed that camphor and menthol show promise in the extraction of PFOA from water, meanwhile other DESs such as menthol: octanoic acid will be tested to compile DES solvents suitable for PFOA extraction from water supplies.