Polymer supported carbon for safe and effective remediation of PFOA and PFOS-contaminated water

08 May 2019, Version 3
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is an economical sorbent for removing micropollutants from water, but it generates hazardous dust that is flammable and a respiration hazard. Additionally, the fine particles of PAC can cake and block filters and membranes, complicating its use in continuous processes. In this study, we present a sulfur polymer support for PAC that overcomes these problems. The blend of the sulfur polymer and PAC generates low dust and it does not block filters. The utility of the sorbent is demonstrated in the remediation of water contaminated with perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs)—persistent micropollutants that currently threaten water safety worldwide. Fundamental discoveries of PFAS self-assembly are reported, as well as testing on field samples.

Keywords

activated carbon
inverse vulcanization
PFAS
PFOA
PFOS
sulfur
sulfur polymer
water purification
remediation
dust control

Supplementary materials

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