A novel approach for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water by engineering metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks

Per- and polyfluoroalkyls (PFASs) are ubiquitous and pose a risk to public health.

PFASs are a unique challenge to water purification systems because they are difficult to remove using existing technology.

Worse, PFASs do not break-down in nature due to the stable C-F bond .We will develop materials for drinking water treatment based on metal- and covalent organic frameworks (MOFs & COFs: large pore volumes, high surface areas, tunable chemistry) for removal of PFASs.

In comparison to classical techniques (i.e. granulated activated carbon (GAC) and anion exchange (AIX)), MOFs and COFs have the advantage of more selectively adsorbing PFASs due to the addition of specific PFAS-binding groups (i.e. organic siloxane and polyfluorinated carboxylates).

Another advantage is that catalytic methods can be implemented to breaking down PFASs or C-F containing pharmaceuticals.

Ultimately, the developed COFs and MOFs treatment technique will be applied in a pilot-scale case study in a drinking water treatment plant.

The proposed research is essential for Swedish drinking water safety as currently applied water treatment technologies are inefficient for the removal of PFASs in drinking water.

The project will create a strong scientific basis to improve current drinking water treatment technologies to reduce the risk of human exposure to PFASs and improve human health (UN Goal 3), clean water (UN Goal 6) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (UN Goal 9).