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Project

Microporous materials for selective adsorption and catalytic degradation of perfluorinated surfactants

Perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that are widely used for the production of many fluoropolymers, besides from a wide range of other applications. Due to their toxicity and widespread occurrence in (drinking) water, food products and humans, the EU recently introduced environmental quality standards for the concentrations of the most relevant PFCs in natural waters. Currently, there are no practical treatment techniques available that lower the concentrations of these compounds for large
water bodies in a cost- and energy-efficient way. In this PhD, a hydrophobic, all-silica zeolite Beta material that is a highly selective and high-capacity
adsorbent for PFASs, even in the presence of organic competitors, is proposed. Summarizing, the PFAS molecules are positioned in the straight channels of the zeolite, with the hydrophobic chains in the channels and the carboxylic heads, forming hydrogen bonded pairs, in the intersections. This results in a very favorable adsorption
enthalpy and a very tight packing at maximal capacity, explaining the exceptionally high affinity and selectivity of all-silica zeolite Beta for PFOA and similar perfluorinated
compounds. These properties position this unusual zeolite as the lead candidate for combating PFAS pollution.  

Date:17 Sep 2015 →  24 Feb 2021
Keywords:Microporous, perfluorinated, surfactants
Disciplines:Analytical chemistry, Macromolecular and materials chemistry
Project type:PhD project