University of Birmingham Researchers Unveil Portable Prototype for Rapid Detection of PFAS Contamination, Paving the Way for On-Site Water Monitoring and Environmental Protection.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with scientists from Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), have devised a novel method for identifying ‘forever chemicals’ or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in water using a luminescent sensor.
PFAS, known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are persistent fluorine-based compounds widely utilized in diverse industries, such as food packaging, semiconductor manufacturing, and tire production. Due to their non-degradable nature, they accumulate in the environment, raising concerns about their toxic impact, especially in water sources.
Detecting these contaminants in drinking water and addressing pollution from industrial spills is crucial for both human health and environmental well-being. However, existing measurement methods are challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. Professor Stuart Harrad, the University of Birmingham’s Professor of Environmental Chemistry, highlighted the urgent need for a simple, rapid, and cost-effective technique for on-site measurement of PFAS in water samples to facilitate containment and remediation efforts.
The research team, led by Professors Harrad and Zoe Pikramenou, has introduced a prototype sensor capable of detecting the ‘forever chemical’ perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The sensor employs luminescent metal complexes attached to a sensor surface. When the device is immersed in contaminated water, it identifies PFOA by monitoring changes in the luminescence signal emitted by the metals.
Professor Pikramenou explained the sensor’s functioning, involving a small gold chip coated with iridium metal complexes. UV light excites the iridium, producing red light. When the gold chip is exposed to water contaminated with PFAS, alterations in the luminescence lifetime signal the presence of the ‘forever chemical.’ The sensor has demonstrated effectiveness in detecting 220 micrograms of PFAS per liter of water in industrial wastewater. However, further sensitivity improvements are needed for application in drinking water, aiming to detect nanogram levels of PFAS.
The collaboration with BAM in Berlin for assay development and nanoscale analytics has been crucial in advancing the prototype. Dan Hodoroaba, head of BAM’s Surface and Thin Film Analysis Division, emphasized the significance of advanced imaging surface analyses for optimal sensor chip performance.
Knut Rurack, leading BAM’s Chemical and Optical Sensing Division, discussed plans to refine and integrate the prototype sensor chip for portability and enhanced sensitivity. This adaptation will enable on-site use for spill response and the detection of these chemicals in drinking water.
Professor Pikramenou concluded that while PFAS offer valuable properties in industrial applications, their unsafe disposal poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, human health, and the broader environment. The newly developed prototype marks a substantial advancement in providing an efficient, rapid, and accurate means of detecting PFAS pollution, ultimately contributing to the preservation of our natural world and the potential safeguarding of drinking water sources.