Location: Water Management and Conservation Research
Project Number: 2020-13660-009-036-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2026
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
Develop adsorption materials for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that are stable in aqueous solutions and can, when processed mechanochemically, convert PFAS into free fluoride ions, which, via solid-state reaction with hydroxyapatite precursor, will convert into stable minerals, such as F-apatite. The proposed process will develop solid-state-based, scalable PFAS mechanochemical oxidation methods from soil systems, resulting in a solid and stable, environmentally benign products that do not contain PFAS.
Approach:
Biochar will be impregnated using the methods developed in our lab using either phosphate or metal, such as Mg2+, anions and cations, respectively. The Restch MM300 shaker ball mill will be utilized for mechanochemical experiments in room temperature. A large Retsch PM100 mill will be used to test the scale-up of the process. Sampling will be performed periodically and samples will be sent out to the USDA ARS in Arizona for LC/MS analysis of the PFAS residue.