(365a) Exploring Film-Coated Electrodes for Pfas Detection

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging group of anthropogenic contaminants that are arduous to degrade and possess a horde of detrimental health effects in mammals. Consequentially, exposure health advisory limits of these substances are extremely low, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency advising water levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to be below 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) and 0.02 ppt, respectively. To easily sustain healthy levels of these chemicals, PFAS detection platforms must have ultra-sensitivity, along with low cost, portability, and a fast response time. In this study, we functionalize electrode with nonconductive film and investigate its suitability for PFAS sensing. Utilizing molecular printing technologies, the films create cavities that expose the electrode's active surface and attract PFAS molecules. Since PFASs lack electroactivity, successful PFAS capture alters the collected electrochemical signal. The optimization of parameters such as film composition, structural stability, and sensing sensitivity will be explored, and the sensor's performance will be presented and discussed.