PNNL

Abstract

Perfluorabutyric acid (PFBA) is one classify of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which is applied to wide-spread industry compounds. The removal of PFBA has attracted considerable scientific interest in recent decades because it caused environmental pollutions and human diseases. For removing PFASs from wastewater, the adsorption method has been commonly used for the remediation of PFASs. However, it is usually limited by the inevitable “secondary waster” produced in this treatment process. In this work, PFBA can be removed effectively by synergizing the electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) and a novel nanostructured ion exchanger. Herein, the nanostructured ion exchanger is designed by coating polypyrrole (PPy) @ Fe2O3 nanoneedle on carbon cloth (PPy@Fe2O3 NN-CC). Results show that PPy@Fe2O3 NN-CC film enhances ion exchange speed and efficiency, which endures its high-capacity adsorption ability and rapid regeneration property, thereby reducing secondary waste. Moreover, ESIX based on PPy@Fe2O3 NN-CC has high selectivity for adsorption of PFBA over Cl-, SO42- and NO3-