Soluções de Remediação Híbrida para Mitigação de Compostos Per- e Poli-Fluoroalquil em Ambientes Aquáticos

Considering all the novel scientific and technical aspects of the present proposal, a general objective of HyPerRem is to develop a revolutionising hybrid treatment based on photocatalysis, membranes technology and bioremediation that maximizes the defluorination and mineralization output of target PFAS. For that purpose, other sub-objectives will be paramount: •Synthesis of unique MOFs (i.e., UiO66 and MIL-125) and TiO2-based (i.e., Au/TiO2, Ag/TiO2) photocatalysts, active under UV-A and visible radiation, to degrade the target PFAS - perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHA) and broflanilide (BRO); •Develop groundbreaking 3D printed multilayer membranes based on synthetic (PVDF-HFP) or natural polymers (chitosan and silk fibroin) through direct ink writing (DIW), with tailored shapes, up to three functional layers (e.g., each layer containing different photocatalysts), and morphology/porosity to degrade the target PFAS; •Validate the 3Dprinted membrane antifouling properties and multifunctional concept obtained by the incorporation of actinobacterial extracts with biogenic antifouling properties into the membrane layer; •Implement cutting-edge phenotype profiling and modeling tools for the design of functional bacterial consortia to outfit a bioremediation treatment unit operating downstream of the photocatalytic process; •Demonstrate the capacity of the hybrid treatment (photocatalysis and bioremediation) to maximize the defluorination and mineralization of the target PFAS and validate its application in real water matrixes; •Evaluate the environmental impact of the overall HyPerRem hybrid technology through ecotoxicological assays of materials and PFAS degradation byproducts and a simple life cycle assessment of the hybrid technology; •Design and validate the scalability of the hybrid treatment solution by the production of larger 3Dprinted photocatalytic membranes to treat larger volumes of real water matrices; The accomplishment of all the sub-objectives will contribute to the success of the proposed hybrid technology in addressing the complete degradation of the target PFAS. However, all the sub-objectives represent relevant achievements in the different areas and can individually promote steps forward in mitigating PFAS contamination. A subliminal objective that is a consequence of the project's success lies in the possible impact of environmental remediation technologies and the possibility of attracting private investment from industry.