Synthesizing Nano-Shapes to Capture Forever Chemicals

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" are a group of fluorinated chemicals used in manufacturing due to their non-stick and fire-resistant properties. Consequently, their high chemical resistance results in accumulation throughout the environment, including the human body. Iron oxide nanoparticles are an ideal candidate for magnetic extraction of PFAS from water due to their biocompatibility and magnetic properties. To attract and hold PFAS molecules, iron oxide nanoparticles were coated in an ultra-porous fluorinated silica composite. The presence of a magnetic field causes the nanocomposites, with captured PFAS, to aggregate together, leaving clean water behind. To optimize the extraction process, several shapes and sizes of nanoparticles were produced including spheres, cubes, cuboctahedra, rods, and "octopods" (cubes with concave inward sides), with plans to test their efficacy in PFAS capture. Particles were characterized via transmission and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and magnetometry.