Development of a Smart PFAS-Collector for High-Throughput PFAS Detection

Project Summary/Abstract1 Rising awareness of the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coupled with2 growing evidence of human health hazards has led to increased PFAS testing of water sources3 that feed drinking-water supplies. Early estimations of the PFAS treatment market are at $3.1Bn,4 with testing representing a key revenue driver. While highly accurate, current high resolution mass5 spectroscopy (HRMS) PFAS detection methods have high per sample costs and long turnaround6 times. The specialized equipment is expensive and requires skilled personnel and laborious7 sample preparation. As a result, budget-strapped stakeholders may limit the comprehensive8 testing needed for site assessment. Long turnaround times can mean continued community 9 exposure and uncertainty of clean-up progress. AxNano is developing a low-cost, high- 10 throughput, portable PFAS-detection method. We aim to initially develop this as a screening tool 11 for environmental engineers to provide real-time data of elevated PFAS levels to inform exposures 12 and further testing needs. Long-term goals are to achieve specificity and detection limits 13 necessary for receiving EPA approval. This technology meets the specific Superfund Research 14 Program need of “nanotechnology-based sensors” to “characterize [and] monitor hazardous 15 substances at contaminated sites”. 16 The specific objectives of this Phase I SBIR program are the development of and bench-scale 17 testing of AxNano’s PFAS-targeting “smart” collector, which is a key component of our high 18 throughput PFAS detector. The long-term objectives of this multidisciplinary technology 19 development program will integrate material science, advanced spectroscopy, and data analytics. 20 The key innovation in this work is unique PFAS-targeting nanoparticles that will produce a 21 fluorescence signal upon binding PFAS. Our initial goal is ppb level detection, and ultimately ppt 22 to meet regulatory requirements. Specific tasks of this Phase I include lab-scale manufacturing of 23 a suite of surface-modified fluorescent nanoparticles and testing for PFAS-targeting and - 24 detecting abilities. Promising candidates will be down-selected according to specific criteria and 25 integrated into a pre-prototype “smart” collector, which will then be tested at bench-scale. Phase 26 I will test proof-of-concept against standard solutions of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 27 perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and an Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF) Ansulite. 28 Additional tasks involve preparing for prototyping and broader PFAS compound testing in realistic 29 environments in Phase II.Project Narrative Municipalities and private well users nation-wide are becoming aware of the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-impacted drinking water and the corresponding human health concerns regarding exposure. Current testing methods require specialized equipment such that samples often must be shipped to contract laboratories, with high per sample costs and long turn- around times. To address the need of a low-cost, easy to use, portable PFAS-screening tool, AxNano is developing a fluorescent-based optical detection method initially intended for use by municipalities for screening drinking water, and ultimately could be used more broadly for private well testing and groundwater testing for contaminated site assessment. The broad impact of this program is to develop a PFAS testing method that is easily accessible in order to decrease the risk of PFAS exposure across society.