Professor Xiao Su and researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an electrochemical/electrocatalytic system capable of separating PFAS from solution and...
Professor Xiao Su and researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an electrochemical/electrocatalytic system capable of separating PFAS from solution and degrading it in-situ. This electrochemical system is comprised of a redox-polymer working electrode, that that is responsible for electrochemically separating the PFAS (charged or uncharged) from solution, and a counter electrode that is responsible for electrochemically degrading the PFAS. When incorporated into an electrochemical device the redox copolymers presents an exceptionally high adsorption capacity for PFAS (>1500 mg PFOA/g adsorbent) and separation factors (500 vs. chloride), and demonstrates exceptional removal efficiencies in diverse per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and halogenated aromatic compounds. This technique represents the state of the art in PFAS remediation, and is more versatile than activated carbon, less expensive than ion exchange systems, and capable of handling large loads than high pressure membranes.
