Synthesis of functionalized materials for the removal of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water

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Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured since the late 1940s and their presence in drinking water (typically localized and associated with a specific facility such as manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facilities) has been a cause for concern for many years. PFAS are toxic to humans and are responsible for several health issues including cancer, effects on the immune system, and liver and kidney diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop methods to remove, efficiently and at low cost, these harmful substances. This joint academia-industry project aims to design, synthesise, test and deploy new adsorbent materials to remove PFAS from contaminated water. The project will focus on an iterative process to synthesise solid-supported chemical receptors with high affinity for PFAS followed by testing their performance in flow systems. The ultimate aim is to deliver a cost effective and efficient material for water remediation.