2 research outputs found
β‑Cyclodextrin Polymer Network Sequesters Perfluorooctanoic Acid at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations
Per- and poly fluorinated
alkyl substances (PFASs), notably perfluorooctanoic
acid (PFOA), contaminate many ground and surface waters and are environmentally
persistent. The performance limitations of existing remediation methods
motivate efforts to develop effective adsorbents. Here we report a
β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-based polymer network with higher
affinity for PFOA compared to powdered activated carbon, along with
comparable capacity and kinetics. The β-CD polymer reduces PFOA
concentrations from 1 μg L<sup>–1</sup> to <10 ng
L<sup>–1</sup>, at least 7 times lower than the 2016 U.S. EPA
advisory level (70 ng L<sup>–1</sup>), and was regenerated
and reused multiple times by washing with MeOH. The performance of
the polymer is unaffected by humic acid, a component of natural organic
matter that fouls activated carbons. These results are promising for
treating PFOA-contaminated water and demonstrate the versatility of
β-CD-based adsorbents