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Surface-active behavior of Select Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and their Mixtures
Citation:
Chen, J., A. Adegbule, J. Huang, AND M. Brooks. Surface-active behavior of Select Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and their Mixtures. ORISE Meets the World, NA, Oklahoma, December 02, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The intent of this presentation is to communicate research that is being conducted to broadly investigate the source zone characteristics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the subsurface. Specifically, this research focuses on interfacial partitioning of select PFAS in source zones, as characterized through surface tension measurements. Measurements of pH and specific conductance were also collected to assist in the evaluation of screening-level characteristics. Information on these topic is very important to the management of PFAS contaminated sites.
Description:
Sub-Product Description: This is a presentation that Dr. Chen will give at ORD's "ORISE Meets the World" seminar series. Abstract (100 word limit): Widespread application of PFASs has resulted in persistent contamination on a global scale because of their unique properties. Among those, surface activity is key to understanding transport and fate. We selected 7 PFASs of different carbon chain lengths (n = 4, 6, and 8) and functional groups (COO- and SO3-), and measured surface tension as a function of concentration for individual compounds and their mixtures. Results showed that 6 PFASs have a sharp decline in surface tension with increasing concentration without evidence of micelle formation. The PFASs showed different surface-activities which may relate to carbon chain length and functional groups. All mixtures showed surface tension measurements intermediate to individual compounds.