Development of Advanced Electrocatalytic Processes Using Nanostructured Electrodes for the Remediation of Water Contaminated with Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PROJECT COST:

675 000 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

270 000 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

The project led by Patrick Drogui and Ali El Khakani aims to leverage the unique properties of nanomaterials to develop highly efficient advanced electrocatalytic (AEC) processes for the remediation of water contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, particularly perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Research activities related to water decontamination will be conducted in close collaboration with industrial partners, including SANEXEN, a company specialized in site remediation, contaminated soil management, and residual materials treatment, as well as Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT), which will contribute to the development of titanium alloy-based electrodes.

The newly developed electrodes will be transferred to Professor Drogui’s laboratory at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), where they will be integrated into next-generation AEC reactors to develop and optimize PFAS degradation processes.

The analysis and monitoring of PFAS compounds and their degradation by-products will subsequently be carried out under the supervision of Professor Sébastien Sauvé at the Université de Montréal.