Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS Removal
EPA Grant Number: SU839810Title: Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS Removal
Investigators: Wu, Tingting , Vogler, Bernhard , Thanh Vu, Chi
Institution: The University of Alabama in Huntsville
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: November 1, 2019 through October 30, 2020 (Extended to December 31, 2022)
Project Amount: $24,997
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2019) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
This project aimed to develop novel low-cost bio-hybrid adsorbents for point-of-use (POU) treatment of both long-chain and short-chain PFAS at homes/offices, thus helping promote safe drinking water supply. Given the widespread contamination of drinking water sources by PFAS and the challenges to implementing comprehensive and uniform regulatory strategy, POU treatment can represent an inexpensive and immediate solution, which may be particularly appealing to small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities.
Studies of toxicological effects of PFAS on mammals found that these compounds have the propensity to bind with proteins possibly due to the polar hydrophobic nature and high levels of PFAS in humans and other animals have been accordingly detected in the protein-rich blood and organs. Inspired by these findings, the research team attempted to exploit the affinity of PFAS for proteins and develop novel bio-hybrid functional materials for selective PFAS adsorption.
The primary objective of the Phase I study was to acquire the data necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept and lead to the development of a prototype filter utilizing the innovative bio-hybrid adsorbents. To achieve this objective, the research team undertook two research tasks:
(1) Synthesis and characterization of supported bio-hybrid adsorbents, and
(2) Evaluation of PFAS removal using bio-hybrid adsorbents.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Findings obtained from this project have demonstrated proof-of-concept that the novel bio-hybrid adsorbents can remove both long-chain and short-chain PFAS from water. In particular, the outputs include:
(1) Synthesis procedures for bio-hybrid adsorbents prepared using different proteins loaded on different substrates
(2) Screening test data of the adsorbents towards PFAS removal
(3) Material characterization of the GAC-based bio-hybrid adsorbents
(4) Optimization of the synthesis procedure
(5) Evaluation of the performance of bio-hybrid adsorbents under the influence of different solution chemistry
Conclusions:
(1) Proof-of-concept that simple functionalization with protein can significantly enhance the adsorption capacity of GAC for both long-chain and short-chain PFAS
(2) Groundwork for future development of bio-hybrid adsorbents for POU treatment of PFAS, which can help alleviating the pressure caused by the widespread contamination of drinking water sources by PFAS and the challenges to implementing comprehensive and uniform regulatory strategy
(3) Potential to enable an inexpensive and immediate solution, which may be particularly appealing to small, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 3 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Vu CT, Wu T. Recent progress in adsorptive removal of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water/wastewater. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 2022;52(1):90-129. |
SU839810 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
drinking water treatment technology, water filtration, human health, point of use, cost-effectiveProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase II:
Low-cost Household Water Filter for PFAS Removal | 2024 Progress ReportThe 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.