SBIR Phase I: Advanced electrochemical degradation of PFAS in water

这项小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛影响是创造一种降解水中全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）的方法，这些物质通常被称为“永久”化学品。PFAS污染是一个重大的全球性问题，据估计97%的美国公民血液中含有PFAS。由此产生的人类和动物健康影响包括免疫、生殖、发育、肝脏、激素和致癌疾病。目前，饮用水资源中PFAS的去除是联邦政府和许多州政府关注的重点。然而，现有先进水处理技术的成本、密集维护和复杂性往往使其难以采用。虽然这些有害的PFAS很难被破坏，但提出的新工艺将它们转化为无害的副产品。该项目有可能以更低的能源成本和更快的去除速度处理pfas污染的水，这可能对全国受影响的社区广泛有用。该方法集成了先进的工艺，不需要大量的能源需求，也不需要使用化学品和后处理。该技术预计价格合理，可扩展，易于现场操作和维护。SBIR第一期项目建议设计和实施一种新型阴极处理系统，用于从地下水中去除全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质。独特的设计提出采用还原性和氧化性阴极去除PFAS。该项目旨在研究、设计和测试使用新型电极材料的电化学电池原型，以支持电化学诱导的还原和氧化过程。任务包括测试电极衬底和催化涂层材料，以及优化与快速断开C-F键和低能耗相关的操作参数。该项目将开发一种强大的电化学装置，该装置可以在与环境相关的PFAS浓度和其他共污染物（如天然有机物和氯化挥发性有机物）下运行。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project are to create a method for the degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – often called “forever” chemicals - in water. PFAS contamination is a significant global problem, and it is estimated that 97% of US citizens have PFAS in their blood. The resultant human and animal health implications include immunological, reproductive, developmental, hepatic, hormonal, and carcinogenic diseases. Currently, the removal of PFAS in drinking water resources is a major focus of the federal government and among many state governments. However, the cost, intensive maintenance, and complexity of available advanced water treatment technologies have often made their adoption out of reach. While these harmful PFAS are difficult to destroy, the proposed novel process transforms them into harmless byproducts. This project has the potential to treat PFAS-contaminated water with lower energy costs and faster removal rates, which could be broadly useful to affected communities throughout the country. The approach integrates advanced processes without extensive energy requirements and without the need for chemical use and post-processing. This technology is expected to be affordable, scalable, and easy to operate and maintain on-site.This SBIR Phase I project proposes to design and implement a novel cathodic treatment system for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from groundwater. The unique design proposes to employ both reductive and oxidative cathodes for PFAS removal. The project aims to research, design, and test an electrochemical cell prototype with novel electrode materials that support electrochemically-induced reduction and oxidation processes. Tasks include testing the electrode substrates and catalyst-coating materials and optimizing the operational parameters relative to rapid breaking of C-F bonds and low-energy consumption. The project will develop a robust electrochemical device that operates under environmentally relevant concentrations of PFAS and other co-contaminants, such as natural organic matter and chlorinated volatile organics.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.