Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 6000 compounds used widely in industry. However, if PFAS enter the drinking water supply, they can bioaccumulate in humans to potentially harmful concentrations. The goal of this project was to develop a rapid PFAS quantification and identification method utilizing NMR spectroscopy. We devised a method to concentrate samples for NMR analysis using solid phase extraction and evaporation. The limit of detection was found to be 50 ng/L, below the EPA suggested limit of 70 ng/L, and calibration curves were created for four PFAS. We also found that NMR analysis can identify carbon chain length. The resulting combined technique using SPE extraction and NMR analysis provides a complete procedure for rapid PFAS quantification in water.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Cain, Jonathan M.
• Powers, Zachary R.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-040720-202541

Advisor

• Bergendahl, John Andrew
• Kmiotek, Stephen J.

Year

• 2020

Date created

• 2020-04-07

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright