Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles to Enrich and Isolate PFAS in Environmental Media
Faculty Mentor
W. Marshall Ming
Location
Russell Union 2047
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
Jack Averitt College of Graduate Studies
Department
Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Abstract
PerFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) are inert in environmental media, building in concentration and leading to high PFAS concentration from domestic waste water, to oceanic fish, to polar bears. As of May 2025, the USA EPA aims to reduce PFOA and PFOS to “Zero” in wastewater by 2029. Current PFAS enrichment methods have significant trade-offs: for example, ion exchange resins cannot be regenerated; granular activated carbon beds and reverse osmosis are energy-intensive to maintain and regenerate properly; micro zero-valent iron powder adsorption is only effective when PFAS are concentrated. Meanwhile, iron nanoparticles have recently been developed as sorbents in wastewater treatment methods. This includes Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC)-grafted Magnetite NanoParticles (MNP), which have proved to be efficient and may prevent further development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Inspired by QAC-MNP systems, this on-going research proposes a facile and tunable synthesis of functionalized MNP to enrich and isolate PFAS from environmental media. These MNP were synthesized through seeded polymerization, which co-polymerize acrylic-QAC and acrylic-perfluoroalkyl monomers into an acrylic shell around the magnetite center; due to this iron center, the MNP are easily separated from effluent by neodymium magnet. The -QAC and -Rf functionalized surface will isolate and enrich PFAS from effluent, thus energy-efficiently separating PFAS from treated water.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:15 AM
Recommended Citation
Athons, Jacob, "Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles to Enrich and Isolate PFAS in Environmental Media" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 116.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/116
Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles to Enrich and Isolate PFAS in Environmental Media
Russell Union 2047
PerFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) are inert in environmental media, building in concentration and leading to high PFAS concentration from domestic waste water, to oceanic fish, to polar bears. As of May 2025, the USA EPA aims to reduce PFOA and PFOS to “Zero” in wastewater by 2029. Current PFAS enrichment methods have significant trade-offs: for example, ion exchange resins cannot be regenerated; granular activated carbon beds and reverse osmosis are energy-intensive to maintain and regenerate properly; micro zero-valent iron powder adsorption is only effective when PFAS are concentrated. Meanwhile, iron nanoparticles have recently been developed as sorbents in wastewater treatment methods. This includes Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC)-grafted Magnetite NanoParticles (MNP), which have proved to be efficient and may prevent further development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Inspired by QAC-MNP systems, this on-going research proposes a facile and tunable synthesis of functionalized MNP to enrich and isolate PFAS from environmental media. These MNP were synthesized through seeded polymerization, which co-polymerize acrylic-QAC and acrylic-perfluoroalkyl monomers into an acrylic shell around the magnetite center; due to this iron center, the MNP are easily separated from effluent by neodymium magnet. The -QAC and -Rf functionalized surface will isolate and enrich PFAS from effluent, thus energy-efficiently separating PFAS from treated water.
