Scalable Graphene-enabled ElectroChemical Treatment for Complete Destruction of “Forever Chemicals” in Contaminated Water

Introduction

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used since the 1940s and are known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistency to advanced (waste)water treatment strategies. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, each released molecule of PFAS remains in the environment.

PFAS Characteristics

Today there are more than 9,000 known PFAS, the majority of them being extremely resistant to any kind of degradation, and with high bioaccumulation potentials and toxicities.

Electrochemical Processes

Electrochemical processes can address the challenge of PFAS presence in water, provided that the anode material is low cost and can break the C-F bond without forming toxic byproducts.

Graphene Sponge Anode

The graphene sponge anode developed by our team is the first material to fulfill both requirements. In this project, we will aim at upscaling the electrochemical treatment based on graphene sponge electrodes and testing its long-term performance in degrading PFAS from complex residual streams.

Key Scientific and Technical Questions

This will enable us to answer key scientific and technical questions required for further technology adoption by the water industry, many of them related to:

1. The fundamental mechanisms of electrochemical C-F bond breakage
2. Features of anodically polarized graphene

Technology Potential

Based on the results achieved to date at lab-scale, GRAPHEC technology has a strong potential to evolve into a sustainable, chemical-free destruction technology for PFAS-laden wastewaters. It aims to achieve their complete destruction at ambient temperature and pressure, in modular units, with low capital and operational cost.

Intellectual Property and Network Engagement

Finally, this project also aims at keeping the existing intellectual property and engaging early technology adopters in Europe and beyond to form a mature network of future clients and reach a technology readiness level (TRL) 6 at the end of the project.

Conclusion

The project will deliver a new platform technology for the removal of toxic and persistent chemicals from water and is likely to play a key role in the EU’s Green Deal Agenda for securing a toxic-free environment.