Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a simple, fast and effective technique for removing PFAS chemicals from water.
Using magnets and reusable absorption aids they developed, polymer chemist Dr Cheng Zhang and PhD candidate Xiao Tan of the Australian Institute of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology have been able to extract perfluoroalkyl substances from minor contaminants. and removed 95% of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Water within 1 minute.
“Removing PFAS chemicals from contaminated water is an urgent need to protect public and environmental health,” said Dr. Zhang.
“However, existing methods require machinery such as pumps, are time consuming, and require their own power source.
“Our method shows that we can remove more of these chemicals in a faster, cheaper, cleaner and much easier way.
“Our process does not require electricity, so it can be used in remote and off-grid communities.”
PFAS substances, synthetic compounds that have been used in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s, can persist in the environment and cause human health problems.
The PFAS removal technology developed by Dr. Zhang and Mr. Tan involves treating contaminated water with a new solution called a magnetic fluorinated polymer adsorbent.
“The solution we developed coats the PFAS particles and uses a magnet to attract, separate, and remove them,” said Dr. Zhang.
“The solution itself can be reused up to 10 times.
“Our team is now scaling up testing and hopes to have the product commercially available within the next three years.”
Original: Magnetic method for washing PFAS-contaminated water
Than: University of Queensland
