Hydrated Electrons from iRradiated metal-free semicOnductors for Per- and poly-FluoroAlkyl Substances degradation in water

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals produced for several applications, ubiquitous in water bodies close to industrialised regions, and with recognized associated issues to human health (e.g. carcinogenicity).

Being among the most recalcitrant class of emerging contaminants, an efficient water treatment able to degrade PFAS will represent an outstanding technology, not only for the recovery of already contaminated sites (impressively spread in Europe), but also for drinking- and waste-water treatment plants.

The project proposal, “Hydrated Electrons from iRradiated metal-free semicOnductors for PFAS degradation in water (HERO4PFAS)”, focuses on the development and investigation of wide band gap semiconductors able to photo-produce hydrated electrons under ultraviolet (UV) light to eliminate PFAS from water.

The main goal will be to evolve from the state-of-the-art homogeneous advanced reduction processes (ARPs) towards heterogeneous systems to be employed in real cases.

Since very expensive materials are required to photo-produce hydrated electrons (e.g. diamond-carbon), in this project low-cost photocatalysts based on hexagonal boron nitride will be prepared, and their ability in the degradation of PFAS studied under different conditions (type of irradiation, pH, dissolved oxygen).

Systems based on heterogeneous UV-ARP will be implemented for the removal of PFAS from retentate streams of advanced membrane filtration systems and coupled with advanced oxidation processes in a holistic treatment train able to reach the complete PFAS mineralization.

HERO4PFAS will fill the gap between PFAS degradation and the development of a cost-efficient heterogeneous photo-ARP.With the support of my supervisor (Prof.

Minella) at University of Turin, I will diversify my individual competences to materials science and UV-ARP chemistry, boosting my career as future expert on photocatalysis and water treatment technology.