Removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water using hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES): A proof of concept study

Luca Fortunato; Lamya Al Fuhaid; Sapia Murgolo; Cristina De Ceglie; Giuseppe Mascolo; Laura Falivene; Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder; Geert Jan Witkamp; Andreia Farinha

doi:10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104401

Removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water using hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES): A proof of concept study

Luca Fortunato^*, Lamya Al Fuhaid, Sapia Murgolo, Cristina De Ceglie, Giuseppe Mascolo, Laura Falivene, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Geert Jan Witkamp, Andreia Farinha

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the present study natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were investigated as green and sustainable approach for the extraction of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from aqueous solutions. NADES, derived from natural products, offer environmentally friendly, low-cost, and biodegradable properties. A hydrophobic NADES, menthol-acetic acid, was shown to be able to extract perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from water. The extraction efficiency was about 90 % and was not affected by the PFHpA concentration (0.23–350 mg/L) and by the initial pH of the aqueous solution at the tested conditions. After extraction the pH of the aqueous solution dropped to 2.2, due to a partial dissolution of the acetic acid from the NADES. The mechanism of interaction between the PFHpA and the NADES was unraveled using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. These findings highlight the potential of NADES as a green and sustainable solution for PFAS remediation.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	104401
Journal	Journal of Water Process Engineering
Volume	56
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104401
State	Published - Dec 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support.

Funding Information:
The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Green solvents
Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents
Ionic liquid
Liquid-liquid extraction
Wastewater

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biotechnology
Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Waste Management and Disposal
Process Chemistry and Technology

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10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104401

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Fortunato, L., Al Fuhaid, L., Murgolo, S., De Ceglie, C., Mascolo, G., Falivene, L., Vrouwenvelder, J. S., Witkamp, G. J., & Farinha, A. (2023). Removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water using hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES): A proof of concept study. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 56, Article 104401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104401

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abstract = "In the present study natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were investigated as green and sustainable approach for the extraction of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from aqueous solutions. NADES, derived from natural products, offer environmentally friendly, low-cost, and biodegradable properties. A hydrophobic NADES, menthol-acetic acid, was shown to be able to extract perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from water. The extraction efficiency was about 90 % and was not affected by the PFHpA concentration (0.23–350 mg/L) and by the initial pH of the aqueous solution at the tested conditions. After extraction the pH of the aqueous solution dropped to 2.2, due to a partial dissolution of the acetic acid from the NADES. The mechanism of interaction between the PFHpA and the NADES was unraveled using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. These findings highlight the potential of NADES as a green and sustainable solution for PFAS remediation.",

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author = "Luca Fortunato and {Al Fuhaid}, Lamya and Sapia Murgolo and {De Ceglie}, Cristina and Giuseppe Mascolo and Laura Falivene and Vrouwenvelder, {Johannes S.} and Witkamp, {Geert Jan} and Andreia Farinha",

note = "Funding Information: The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support. Funding Information: The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 Elsevier Ltd",

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AU - De Ceglie, Cristina

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AU - Vrouwenvelder, Johannes S.

AU - Witkamp, Geert Jan

AU - Farinha, Andreia

N1 - Funding Information: The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support. Funding Information: The research reported in this paper was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. The authors extend their gratitude to the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) staff for their support. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

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N2 - In the present study natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were investigated as green and sustainable approach for the extraction of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from aqueous solutions. NADES, derived from natural products, offer environmentally friendly, low-cost, and biodegradable properties. A hydrophobic NADES, menthol-acetic acid, was shown to be able to extract perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) from water. The extraction efficiency was about 90 % and was not affected by the PFHpA concentration (0.23–350 mg/L) and by the initial pH of the aqueous solution at the tested conditions. After extraction the pH of the aqueous solution dropped to 2.2, due to a partial dissolution of the acetic acid from the NADES. The mechanism of interaction between the PFHpA and the NADES was unraveled using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. These findings highlight the potential of NADES as a green and sustainable solution for PFAS remediation.

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Removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water using hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES): A proof of concept study

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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