PhD Studentship: Breaking forever Capturing and converting toxic PFAS molecules using coral structured biochars from blade waste

Humans tend to generate and abandon a lot of waste while they innovate. Some of this waste can be easily recycled, others not so much. Although technologies are slowly emerging, biorenewable waste generated by decommissioning wind turbine blades (balsa wood) has a finite life before it naturally decomposes. Although wind turbine blade recycling has started to take off, as has the production of biodegradable blade materials, there is still a surplus of current and ancestral waste. We can circumvent the natural carbon cycle and add value to our waste, provide a new lease of life whilst limit the release of carbon. This project investigates the production of next generation waste-derived materials for environmental protection activities, by removing forever chemicals and reducing fluorine contamination.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used since the 1940s for hydrophobic protection, corrosion and grease-resistant coatings (non-stick coatings on cookware). This family of chemicals are organofluorine derived, containing a large number of fluorine atoms. This functionality is the core reason for their success over the years, however it is also the reason for their all-round stability and inability to biodegrade. This factor has established PFAS molecules as “forever chemicals” due to their lingering nature. While already banned in areas of Europe and the United Kingdom, the USA will phase out PFAS usage within the next few years. The sudden ban on PFAS production is tied to the toxic nature of the dissolved chemicals in water systems, where exposure has been found to lead to liver and immune system damage, as well as a direct link to many cancers for humans. For marine life, PFAS molecules have been found to hinder the growth and photosynthesis of phytoplankton and the reproduction of zooplankton where it will then bioaccumulate in fish and other aquatic wildlife.

A low carbon solution to yet another human-made problem is through the functionalisation and deployment of photoactive biochars. Here, through pre- and post-processing of balsa wood (taken from decommissioned wind turbines), biochars can be produced with a defined pore architecture and expansive surface area, this makes them ideal materials as adsorbents and catalyst supports.  This project will focus on the re-purposing of balsa wood waste for capturing and catalytically converting organic pollutants, reducing environmental contamination for companies and generating new products and supply chains where possible.

Training & Skills

The student will be trained in materials characterisation technologies such as infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry, powder x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, nitrogen physisorption, Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry, slow pyrolysis, the engineering of pore networks and colloidal nanoparticle synthesis routes (wet chemistry). This wealth of technical knowledge will allow the student to carry on an academic career, operate as a technologist, senior laboratory operator or Environmental Protection Officer.

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student, drawing on the expertise and facilities of our academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.

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