ALTER

Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia

DIASPORA 2023 – Collaborative Research Projects

Advanced eLectrochemical Treatment of PFAS contaminated watER: Novel Materials and Mechanisms-ALTER

Duration: 2 years, 2025-2026.

SROs: Faculty of Physical Chemistry (FFHUB); Faculty of Pharmacy (FPUB); Institut Català de Recerca de l’Aigua (ICRA)

Serbian team: Maja Milojević-Rakić, Nemanja Gavrilov, Bojana Nedić Vasiljević, Aleksandra Janošević Ležajić, Danica Bajuk Bogdanović, Anka Jevremović and Maja Ranković

Diaspora team: Jelena Rađenović, Mira Petrovic, Sara Rodriguez and Nick Duinslaeger

Abstract: PFAS have been widely found in the environment, and exert a harmful impact on human health. Electrochemical oxidation (EO) has gained ground among removal techniques in recent years. Challenges remain concerning the anode material and water medium, specific operational parameters (i.e. type of current collector) which impact the efficiency and energy consumption during EO. Enhancements of the reactivity, electronic properties, and stability are needed for practical applications in the EO degradation of PFAS. Many of the challenges hinge on reactivity that is determined by the electronic structure of metal oxides, most commonly used as catalysts. Theoretical calculation can help narrow down the search for the most promising catalyst by tracking their electronic structure change upon replacing surface atoms. The electrochemical oxidation of PFAS will be studied using cyclic voltammetry and potentiometric regime to compare the efficiency of synthesized material in a three-electrode cell and flow cell regime. HPLC-MS detection of degradation products will be employed. A favourable shift in oxidation potential for PFAS degradation on prepared materials is expected. Lowering of energy consumption during degradation is also envisaged. The Serbian team consists of experts in nanomaterial preparation, electrochemical and environmental studies while the diaspora team consists of renowned researchers in the field of PFAS degradation in (waste)water systems. The body of work will be done at the FFHUB and FPUB with ICRA in consultancy and advisory roles.

Budget: 199,608.61 EUR