Effect of salts and pH on the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from aqueous solutions through precipitation and electroflocculation
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: This study shows that salt type and pH affect the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water through flocculation and electro-enhanced flocculation. PFOA concentrations decreased by approximately 80% with 20 mM FeCl 3 and initial pH = 3–10. Electro-enhanced flocculation at pH = 3 reduced PFOA concentrations in water by approximately 70% with CaCl 2 and KCl, and by 50% with NaCl. At alkaline pH, PFOA removal was approximately 20% with CaCl 2 and KCl. PFOA removal was negligible without salts or with AlCl 3 , and with NaCl at alkaline pH. Differences in PFOA removal are likely due to the settling behaviour of the cation-PFOA complexes formed.
Institution: University of Guelph
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2935826331