Adsorption and on-Demand Desorption of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Water By Thermo-Responsive Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide)

Presentation given at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been utilized in a wide range of applications including surfactants, aqueous film forming foams (AFFF), and oleophobic coatings due to their thermal stability, low surface free energy, and chemical inertness. Recent reports have revealed that soil and groundwater at which firefighting activities have been ­undertaken such as military base sites are contaminated. Also, industrial effluents and disposal of PFAS-containing products have contributed to the contamination. Paradoxically, PFASs' excellent chemical and thermal durability makes them persistent in both environment and the human body. While it still remains an active debate field, it is generally agreed that PFAS can cause a variety of human health disorders and pose adverse effects to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) included perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS) in the Contaminant Candidate List in its 2016 annual report.