University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Versatility of Surface-Modified Clay Adsorbents for PFAS Treatment

Willett, Anna

Content Files
Willett_Anna_ECEC22.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114140

Description

Title
The Versatility of Surface-Modified Clay Adsorbents for PFAS Treatment
Author(s)
Willett, Anna
Issue Date
2022-04-28
Keyword(s)
  • per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
  • PFAS
Date of Ingest
2022-05-04T15:50:59Z
Abstract
Surface-modified clay adsorbents are highly effective at removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of water types. These adsorbents are made by loading clay with a modification agent that has a high affinity for PFAS. The modification agent, which has electrostatic and hydrophobic moieties, is attached to the plate-like crystalline structure of the clay via cation exchange sites to form adsorptive inter-platelet layers or galleries. Exchangeable cations in the clay, like sodium and calcium, are replaced, thereby eliminating swelling when hydrated. Surface modified clay has been investigated in the laboratory and in the field for treatment of a variety of PFAS (short and long chain) and have the ability to remove PFAS to non-detect concentrations in groundwater, waste water, and landfill leachate. The media is resistant to the detrimental effects of water constituents, like dissolved organic carbon and anions, on PFAS adsorption and provides fast adsorption kinetics, resulting in a low empty bed contact time when used in filtration vessels. Surface-modified clay can also be used to stabilize PFAS in soil, as verified with multiple leaching tests, injected/emplaced for subsurface remediation, and installed as a sediment cap. Results with soil, groundwater, drinking water, and landfill leachate will be presented.
Series/Report Name or Number
2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22)
Type of Resource
  • text
  • still image
Genre of Resource
  • presentation/lecture/speech
  • conference paper
Language
en
Permalink
  • https://youtu.be/8lw4Hf2o0JI
  • http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114140

Owning Collections

2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22) PRIMARY