GOALI: US-Native Biomaterials, Nitrogen-functionalized to Adsorb Perchlorate and other Oxyanions from Water

CBET-0829092

Cannon

Numerous U.S. groundwater sources host unacceptable levels of perchlorate, nitrate, chromate, vanadate, etc. Available processes for removing these contaminants generally invoke use of petrochemical-based ion exchange media or membranes, which force municipalities and their suppliers to rely on non-renewable raw materials that are mined from non-sustainable and uncertain sources. The investigators are targeting to devise means of employing instead lignocellulosic biomaterials (biocarbons) that originate naturally from within America. The team will build on their recently-devised means of functionalizing the porous biocarbons with reduced-nitrogen groups that remove perchlorate and other oxyanions. The project will link into the Sloan Fellowship program for Minority Ph.D. candidates at Penn State, which is co-led by PI Dr. Cannon. There will also be participation in Penn State's CURO program, which facilitates minority undergraduate research.