Electrosorption approach removing PFOA from wastewater using a MXene-polyaniline film

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent organic pollutant found in various industrial effluents, posing significant environmental and health risks. Electrosorption of PFOA on MXene-polyaniline film from water was studied. The results of electrosorption kinetics showed that the functionalized MXene film with polyaniline resulting in an approximately 100 % increase in electrosorption capacitance for PFOA due to increasing of the MXene film's volumetric capacitance and modifying of surface chemistry of MXene. The maximum adsorption of PFOA on MXene and MXene-polyaniline films were 358.5 mg/g and 966.1 mg/g, respectively, at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L upon application of +1.0 V. Moreover, humic acid (HA) competing with the adsorption sites, sodium chloride through the double-layer compression effect, and pH affecting the amine or amide functional groups on MXene-polyaniline which inhibited PFOA adsorption onto MXene-polyaniline film were thoroughly examined. Lastly, the reversible adsorption–desorption cycles show that the MXene–polyaniline film possesses the potential to be used continuously. To address PFAS pollution in water sources, we think our approach can help build effective and long-lasting technology.