S. Mahpishanian, M. Zhou, R. Foudazi
The University of Oklahoma,
United States
Keywords: Adsorption kinetics, Graphene oxide, Water purification, PFAS removal
Summary:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," pose a serious threat to public health and the environment due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. To address this challenge, we have developed a state-of-the-art nanocomposite adsorbent, magnetic amine-functionalized graphene oxide (MAGO), by covalently grafting amine functional groups onto graphene oxide (GO) and incorporating iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles. MAGO exhibits exceptional efficiency in removing both long-chain (PFOA, PFOS) and short-chain (PFHxS, PFBS) PFAS under various experimental conditions. Our results demonstrate rapid adsorption kinetics, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 95% for long-chain PFAS and 85% for short-chain PFAS within just 30 minutes. MAGO’s performance remains stable across a pH range of 4 to 7, leveraging synergistic electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions for PFAS adsorption. Furthermore, MAGO demonstrates impressive regeneration capabilities, ensuring its reusability for sustained water treatment. In parallel, we introduce an innovative liquid-phase extraction method for PFAS detection, utilizing a methylene blue-PFAS complex for spectrophotometric analysis, which simplifies and enhances pollutant monitoring. This work advances sustainable nanocomposite-based remediation strategies and provides a promising solution for mitigating PFAS contamination in water sources.