Novel Fluoropolymer Sorbent for Efficient and Selective Capturing Perfluorinated Compounds
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that are persistent and can travel long distances without breaking down in the environment, posing potential harm to human health. The development of new technologies for the removal of PFAS from the environment is urgently needed to safeguard public and environmental health. In this presentation, I will introduce an environmentally stable and reusable perfluoropolyether-based ion-exchange (“PFPE-IEX”) resin that applicable within a cartridge setting for efficient, selective and continuous removal of PFAS from various contaminated water sources. In this project, a series of PFPE-IEX resins were prepared and characterized, composed of a hydrophobic polystyrenic backbone, positively charged quaternary ammonium sites and fluorophilic PFPE segments, which are cross-linked with divinylbenzene. The PFPE-IEX resins demonstrate superior PFAS sorption efficiency compared with any other previously reported techniques under comparable testing environment. We dedicated efforts to optimize the parameters for improved PFAS removal and resin regeneration in a proof-of-concept cartridge setting using drinking water and landfill leachate. By enabling selective and continuous sorption of PFAS, including short-chain variants, and facilitating easy resin regeneration, this project holds promise for addressing PFAS contamination. The outcomes will provide valuable guidance for designing effective PFAS sorbents in cartridge settings, optimizing operational conditions, and informing pilot- and full-scale studies. Ultimately, this research contributes to combating PFAS pollution and advancing sustainable solutions for the environment.
Dr Xiao Tan
Xiao came to Australia and completed his Masters study in Molecular Biology at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2019. In early 2024, he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy by UQ under supervision of Prof Andrew Whittaker and Dr Cheng Zhang, majoring in polymer chemistry. Now he is a postdoctoral research fellow in Cheng Zhang’s research group (Zhang group), and his research mainly focuses on developing novel polymeric sorbents for efficient PFAS removal from different contaminated water sources, including drinking water, sewage water, and landfill leachate.
Zhuojing Yang (Joanna)
Zhuojing Yang specializing in polymer chemistry, with a particular focus on addressing the emerging issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. After completing a master's degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Queensland in 2022, Zhuojing embarked on a transformative journey as a Ph.D. at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) in 2023. Under the advice of esteemed researchers Dr. Cheng Zhang and Prof. Andrew Whittaker, Zhuojing's research focuses on designing environmentally stable and reusable fluorinated sorbents for the efficient capture of PFAS. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and public health, Zhuojing is determined to develop efficient and selective technologies for the long-term removal of PFAS from various contaminated water sources.