TY - JOUR
T1 - Polymer Supported Carbon for Safe and Effective Remediation of PFOA- and PFOS-Contaminated Water
AU - Lundquist, Nicholas A.
AU - Sweetman, Martin J.
AU - Scroggie, Kymberley R.
AU - Worthington, Max J.H.
AU - Esdaile, Louisa J.
AU - Alboaiji, Salah F.K.
AU - Plush, Sally E.
AU - Hayball, John D.
AU - Chalker, Justin M.
PY - 2019/6/3
Y1 - 2019/6/3
N2 - Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is an economical sorbent for removing micropollutants from water, but it generates hazardous dust that is flammable and a respiration hazard. Additionally, the fine particles of PAC can cake and block filters and membranes, complicating its use in continuous processes. In this study, we present a sulfur polymer support for PAC that overcomes these problems. The blend of the sulfur polymer and PAC generates low dust and it does not block filters. The utility of the sorbent is demonstrated in the remediation of water contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), persistent micropollutants that currently threaten water safety worldwide. Fundamental discoveries of PFOA self-assembly are also reported, as well as testing on a field sample of contaminated surface water.
AB - Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is an economical sorbent for removing micropollutants from water, but it generates hazardous dust that is flammable and a respiration hazard. Additionally, the fine particles of PAC can cake and block filters and membranes, complicating its use in continuous processes. In this study, we present a sulfur polymer support for PAC that overcomes these problems. The blend of the sulfur polymer and PAC generates low dust and it does not block filters. The utility of the sorbent is demonstrated in the remediation of water contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), persistent micropollutants that currently threaten water safety worldwide. Fundamental discoveries of PFOA self-assembly are also reported, as well as testing on a field sample of contaminated surface water.
KW - Activated carbon
KW - Dust control
KW - Inverse vulcanization
KW - PFAS
KW - PFOA
KW - PFOS
KW - Sulfur polymer
KW - Water purification
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85067386162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b01793
DO - 10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b01793
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85067386162
VL - 7
SP - 11044
EP - 11049
JO - ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
JF - ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
SN - 2168-0485
IS - 13
ER -