How do you eliminate one that is nicknamed the “Forever Chemical”? The forever chemical in question is PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Matt works on closing the mass balance for the complete degradation of PFAS. The way in which Matt degrades PFAS is through oxidation in a controlled electrochemical cell. He looks to optimize the system from the point of electrode materials and analyzing degradation performance through LC-MS/MS.

Sewage sludge (biosolids) is a nutritious soil amendment used in agriculture – but it also contains pollutants that were not eliminated in the water treatment facility, which can leach into crops and groundwater. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, are a problematic example of such pollutants. Our research explores the efficiency of anoxic thermal treatment (pyrolysis) in destroying these notoriously stable chemicals. By combining high-sensitivity quantification of a wide selection of PFAS with non-targeted identification of thousands of related compounds and transformation products, we provide an unprecedentedly thorough understanding of PFAS fate during pyrolysis. The biochar produced in the pyrolysis process is a valuable commodity in multiple industries, from farming to cosmetics; our study will help determine the safety of this product, and inform PFAS destruction efforts for a cleaner future.

PFAS, or forever chemicals, are present in numerous types of water, from surface waters to groundwater. Short and ultra-short chained PFAS are especially mobile and difficult to remove. As we try to find a solution for treating contaminated waters, we want to investigate potential sustainable solutions. Biochar has proven to be a successful sorbent in past research, and by surface modifying biochar, can allow for increased sorption and treatment of contaminants present in the water. In this current project, we hope to determine the sorption capabilities of surface modified biochars on short and ultra-short chained PFAS removal.