Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a notable environmental challenge due to their high chemical, physical, and biological stability. Composite zeolites and graphene oxide (GO) membranes show strong mechanical integrity, thermal stability, and selectivity under demanding conditions. This study examines the interaction between PFAS and both GO and silver-functionalized Y zeolite (Ag-Y) to assess their effectiveness in pollutant removal, as well as their thermal and structural behavior. In situ X-ray diffraction experiments demonstrated that the loading of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) leads to significant changes in the crystalline structures of both materials. In graphene oxide (GO), the presence of PFAS is indicated by a shift in the (001) peak to higher 2θ values, due to the reduction of the interlayer spacing. In the 150-400°C temperature range, the degradation of functional groups, structural contractions, and the conversion of GO into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were observed [1]. Meanwhile, Ag-Y zeolite exhibits thermal degradation of PFAS between 550 and 650°C without compromising its crystallinity. Thermal analyses have shown that PFOS is more stable than PFOA in both adsorbents. In GO, silver nanoparticles act as a catalyst, effectively lowering the decomposition temperatures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and further decreasing the interlayer spacing. On the other hand, the channel dimensions in Ag-Y zeolite remain unchanged after thermal regeneration, suggesting that this material has the potential for reusability [2]. These findings highlight how incorporating silver nanoparticles into layered or porous materials can improve the efficiency and stability of systems designed for PFAS removal. This research provides valuable insights for developing sustainable water purification technologies. [1] Mancinelli M., Adami L., Gigli L., Sousa N.C.O., Pedrotti J.J., Plaisier J., Pasti L., Stevanin C., Martucci A. (2024) Structural features of graphene and silver functionalized graphene oxide loaded with perfluorinated compounds during thermal heating, Applied Surface Science Advances, under review. [2] Mancinelli, M., Martucci, A., Salani, G.M., Bianchini, G., Gigli, L., Plaisier, J., Colombo, F. (2023) High temperature behaviour of Ag-exchanged Y zeolites used for PFAS sequestration from water, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 25, 20066-20075.
Thermal behavior and structural evolution of ag-exchanged Y zeolites and graphene oxide(GO) loaded with perfluorinated compounds(PFAS) for their sequestration
Adami L.
;Mancinelli M.
;Martucci A.;Pasti L.;Stevanin C.
2024
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a notable environmental challenge due to their high chemical, physical, and biological stability. Composite zeolites and graphene oxide (GO) membranes show strong mechanical integrity, thermal stability, and selectivity under demanding conditions. This study examines the interaction between PFAS and both GO and silver-functionalized Y zeolite (Ag-Y) to assess their effectiveness in pollutant removal, as well as their thermal and structural behavior. In situ X-ray diffraction experiments demonstrated that the loading of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) leads to significant changes in the crystalline structures of both materials. In graphene oxide (GO), the presence of PFAS is indicated by a shift in the (001) peak to higher 2θ values, due to the reduction of the interlayer spacing. In the 150-400°C temperature range, the degradation of functional groups, structural contractions, and the conversion of GO into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were observed [1]. Meanwhile, Ag-Y zeolite exhibits thermal degradation of PFAS between 550 and 650°C without compromising its crystallinity. Thermal analyses have shown that PFOS is more stable than PFOA in both adsorbents. In GO, silver nanoparticles act as a catalyst, effectively lowering the decomposition temperatures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and further decreasing the interlayer spacing. On the other hand, the channel dimensions in Ag-Y zeolite remain unchanged after thermal regeneration, suggesting that this material has the potential for reusability [2]. These findings highlight how incorporating silver nanoparticles into layered or porous materials can improve the efficiency and stability of systems designed for PFAS removal. This research provides valuable insights for developing sustainable water purification technologies. [1] Mancinelli M., Adami L., Gigli L., Sousa N.C.O., Pedrotti J.J., Plaisier J., Pasti L., Stevanin C., Martucci A. (2024) Structural features of graphene and silver functionalized graphene oxide loaded with perfluorinated compounds during thermal heating, Applied Surface Science Advances, under review. [2] Mancinelli, M., Martucci, A., Salani, G.M., Bianchini, G., Gigli, L., Plaisier, J., Colombo, F. (2023) High temperature behaviour of Ag-exchanged Y zeolites used for PFAS sequestration from water, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 25, 20066-20075.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
