Dr. Blaney & team receive grant to remove PFAS from water

Congratulations to Dr. Lee Blaney and his team!

Dr. Lee Blaney, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering, received funding for his project titled “Novel functionalization of conventional sorbents for enhanced selectivity and improved concentration of ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS” from the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). This project is part of the FY 2024 solicitations for SERDP and ESTCP. This project is a collaboration with Dr. Ke He (UMBC), Dr. Wenqing Xu (Villanova University), and Dr. Jessica Ray (University of Washington).

Project Title: Novel functionalization of conventional sorbents for enhanced selectivity and

improved concentration of ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS

Lead Principal Investigator: Lee Blaney

Objective: The overall goal of this project is to improve commercially available adsorbents, such as

anion-exchange resins and granular activity carbon, through specific surface chemistry modifications that enhance the capacity and selectivity for 18 ultrashort- and short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In particular, we will develop (i) hybrid anion-exchange (HAIX) resins, (ii) metal oxide-biochar composites, and (iii) multi-PFAS templated molecularly imprinted polymers on granular activated carbon (mMIP@GAC) adsorbents. These novel materials will be developed, characterized, and evaluated for adsorption, desorption, and performance in PFAS-impacted waters collected from DoD facilities.

Technical Approach: The proposed HAIX, metal oxide-biochar, and mMIP@GAC adsorbents represent paradigm shifts that will improve our ability to remove ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS from impacted waters. We have identified 18 ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS as targets, but additional chemicals of concern will be considered during the project period. The project objective will be achieved through (i) materials development and characterization, (ii) batch adsorption tests to identify isotherm parameters, determine the impacts of water quality parameters, and measure mass transport properties, (iii) batch regeneration tests to optimize not only PFAS desorption, but also PFAS destruction in downstream processes, and (iv) column tests to demonstrate the performance of the proposed materials in at least six real waters collected from DoD facilities, extend treatment capacity compared to the base materials, and measure design parameters needed for future scale-up efforts.

Benefits: The expected outcomes of this work include (i) improved capabilities for the removal and concentration of ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS in ex situ water treatment processes or remediation operations, (ii) better understanding of the fundamental adsorption-desorption behavior of PFAS with innovative adsorbents designed for treatment of PFAS that are poorly adsorbed by conventional materials and (iii) enhanced regeneration protocols that are amenable to downstream PFAS destruction. As all three adsorbent classes build upon commercially available materials, we are confident in the feasibility of technology transfer and timely implementation at DoD facilities. The main benefit to DoD stems from the improved removal of ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS in fixed-bed adsorption reactors. This outcome is important because the targeted compounds, represent a liability for future regulatory requirements based on total PFAS mass concentrations.