Capturing PFAS chemical for better battery tech

Technology developed at The University of Queensland (UQ) can remove harmful chemicals from water so they can be used in renewable batteries.

Researchers at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have made a filter which quickly and cleanly captures per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in consumer and industrial products because of their ability to resist heat, stains, grease and water, however, they have been linked to a range of potential human health problems.

The filter contains a patented sorbent solution that uses an ion-exchange technique to isolate and remove the PFAS as the water passes through.

Polymer chemist Dr Cheng Zhang says fluorine-based materials can be harvested from the filter.

“People are increasingly aware of the risks that PFAS poses to human health and how long these chemicals persist in the natural environment,” he said.

“Not only does our filter technology remove harmful particles from water, those captured chemicals are available to be repurposed to help decarbonise the planet.

“The increasing demand for high-performance rechargeable batteries means manufacturers are constantly searching for new materials that improve the energy density, safety and cycling stability of batteries.

“Recycled PFAS has excellent properties for this purpose.”

Pilot testing will soon begin in Brisbane and the US with $1m in backing from the Advance Queensland Industry Research Projects program.

Testing will be undertaken on a range of sites, including the Luggage Point Sewage Treatment Plant with water management company GHD, project management firm OCTA and the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

“These demonstrations will be pivotal to scaling up our filter technology for use in industrial water infrastructure,” Dr Zhang said.

“If this testing goes as we believe it will, we hope to reach commercial production within three years.”