Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon: A Novel Approach for PFBS Adsorption

Abstract

Short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contain fewer than seven carbon atoms, with perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) being a widely used variant in industries such as aviation, automotive, firefighting, food processing, electronics, and textiles. Like other PFAS, PFBS is highly persistent in the environment and bioaccumulates over time, posing significant health risks, including cancer, developmental issues in children, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive disorders. Adsorption is a well-established method for PFAS removal from water. This study investigates the effect of silver nanoparticle impregnation on the adsorption performance of activated carbon (AC) for PFBS removal. Four AC samples with varying silver contents were prepared to determine the optimal silver loading. The samples were characterized using BET surface area analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate that silver impregnation reduces the BET surface area of AC; however, it enhances PFBS adsorption capacity. The highest adsorption efficiency was observed at a silver content of approximately 2 wt%. These findings suggest that silver-modified AC could be a promising material for PFBS removal from contaminated water sources.