Navid Saeidi
Title: Exploring the Capability of 2D Materials for Improving PFAS Electrosorption from Water
First and last name: Navid Saeidi
Affiliation: Department Microbial Biotechnology (Electrobiotechnology Research Group), Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
Short Biography:
Since June 2023: Postdoctoral Researcher in Department Microbial Biotechnology (Electrobiotechnology Research Group) at Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ (Leipzig, Germany)
2021 to 2023: Postdoctoral Researcher in Department Technical Biogeochemistry at UFZ
2021: Dr. rer. nat. (Leipzig University, Germany)
Abstract:
The widespread contamination of water resources with emerging organic contaminants including per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) necessitates the development of sustainable and cost-effective water treatment technologies. The state of the art technology for PFAS removal is adsorption by activated carbon (AC) in fixed-bed adsorbers 1 which possess at least three critical drawbacks, including I) incomplete removal, for short-chain and ultra-short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs)2, II) a significant environmental burden due to AC production (8.6‒18.3 kg eq CO2/kg AC)3 and AC off-site regeneration (6.6 kg eq CO2/kg AC)4, and III) slow adsorption kinetics (surface diffusion coefficient (DS) < 10-17 m2/s for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) on AC)5. Electrosorption is a promising alternative to not only improve adsorption performance, but also to facilitate adsorbent regeneration by green electricity 6.
Potential-induced effects on adsorption of PFAS have been recorded in terms of the desired i) increase in adsorption affinity and capacity7, ii) enhancement of adsorption kinetics6, and iii) adsorbent regeneration delivering concentrates for post-treatment 7, 8. The impact of potential-induced effects on the adsorption of PFAS varies significantly based on the electrode material used 6. There have been successful laboratory-scale applications of novel 2D electrode materials for electrosorption of PFAS 6.
The presentation will provide an overview of the outcomes derived from PFAS electrosorption on activated carbon (AC) at both laboratory scale and in scaled-up processes. It will delve into the influence of AC's porosity and surface chemistries on the efficacy of PFAS electrosorption. Furthermore, the discussion will extend to exploring the potential of innovative 2D material-based electrodes to enhance PFAS electrosorption performance and address the constraints associated with AC.
References
(1) Phong Vo, H. N.; Ngo, H. H.; Guo, W.; Hong Nguyen, T. M.; Li, J.; Liang, H.; Deng, L.; Chen, Z.; Hang Nguyen, T. A. Poly‐and perfluoroalkyl substances in water and wastewater: A comprehensive review from sources to remediation. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2020, 36, 101393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101393.
(2) Li, F.; Duan, J.; Tian, S.; Ji, H.; Zhu, Y.; Wei, Z.; Zhao, D. Short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic systems: Occurrence, impacts and treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal 2020, 380, 122506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.122506.
(3) Kim, M. H.; Jeong, I. T.; Park, S. B.; Kim, J. W. Analysis of environmental impact of activated carbon production from wood waste. Environmental Engineering Research 2019, 24 (1), 117-126. DOI: 10.4491/eer.2018.104.
(4) Bayer, P.; Heuer, E.; Karl, U.; Finkel, M. Economical and ecological comparison of granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorber refill strategies. Water Research 2005, 39 (9), 1719-1728. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.02.005.
(5) Chen, Y.; Georgi, A.; Zhang, W.; Kopinke, F.-D.; Yan, J.; Saeidi, N.; Li, J.; Gu, M.; Chen, M. Mechanistic insights into fast adsorption of perfluoroalkyl substances on carbonate-layered double hydroxides. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2021, 408, 124815. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124815.
(6) Saeidi, N.; Harnisch, F.; Presser, V.; Kopinke, F.-D.; Georgi, A. Electrosorption of organic compounds: State of the art, challenges, performance, and perspectives. Chemical Engineering Journal 2023, 471, 144354. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.144354.
(7) Saeidi, N.; Kopinke, F.-D.; Georgi, A. Controlling adsorption of perfluoroalkyl acids on activated carbon felt by means of electrical potentials. Chemical Engineering Journal 2021, 416, 129070. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.129070.
(8) Zhou, J.; Saeidi, N.; Wick, L. Y.; Xie, Y.; Kopinke, F.-D.; Georgi, A. Efficient removal of trifluoroacetic acid from water using surface-modified activated carbon and electro-assisted desorption. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 436, 129051. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129051.