Grantee Research Project Results
Mesoporous Adsorbents for Perfluorinated Compounds
EPA Grant Number: SU839448Title: Mesoporous Adsorbents for Perfluorinated Compounds
Investigators: Vasiliev, Aleksey , Mohseni, Ray
Institution: East Tennessee State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019 (Extended to August 30, 2020)
Project Amount: $15,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards
Objective:
In this project we plan to develop porous adsorbents for cleanup of water contaminated by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Most of existing technologies are expensive and insufficiently efficient. The proposed materials with high adsorption capacity (up to 6.8 mmol/g) will be used for reversible adsorption of these contaminants from drinking water or wastewater. The innovative aspect of the project is the use of bridged polysilsesquioxanes combining high structural stability with high concentration of surface amino-groups serving as adsorption sites. The project is based on the hypothesis that porous hybrid materials containing bridged amines can adsorb PFOA and PFOS from contaminated water with significantly enhanced adsorption capacity.
Approach:
The project will be conducted in four steps. On the first step, mesoporous bridged polysilsesquioxanes will be synthesized by sol-gel method at variable conditions with the use of different precursors. The effect of the synthesis conditions on the yield and properties of the products will be determined. Then we will characterize the materials obtained on the first step by instrumental methods. This study is required for determination of the effect of the synthesis conditions on the characteristics of the adsorbents, e.g. porosity, surface area, particle size, basicity, etc. On the third step, the adsorption capacity of the materials and kinetics of adsorption will be studied. Finally, the recyclability of the materials will be studied for determination of regeneration conditions, which is necessary to ensure continuous use of the adsorbents without loss of effectiveness.
The project clearly relates to the P3 approaches. Developed materials and technology of water cleanup with reduce contamination by PFOA and PFOS. It will result in improvement of public health in affected communities. The technology will be cost-effective and will have economic benefits through creation of new manufacture. In addition, it will have an educational impact through incorporation of the project results in teaching materials and development of new course in East Tennesse State University (ETSU).
Expected Results:
The expected outcome of this project will be an efficient adsorbent for cleanup of water containing PFOA and PFOS. The experimental setup will consist of a container with wastewater, a peristaltic pump, and a column filled by the adsorbent. The samples after adsorption will be taken and analysed by liquid chromatography. The effectiveness of water cleanup will be confirmed by low contents of PFOA and PFOS in the effluent. Application of the developed adsorbent in water filters will significantly reduce the exposure of people in affected areas to PFOA and PFOS. It will improve public health by reducing the rate of related illnesses, i.e. developmental effects, cancer, immune and thyroid effects, etc.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Water, perfluorinated compounds, waste reduction, cleanup, environmental chemistry.Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.