Sparc Technologies shows potential of graphene to treat polluted water

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Image Credit: Sparc Technologies

Sparc graphene’s ability to absorb PFAS contaminants improved by up to 100% after the first round of testing, showing promise for use in environmental remediation.

South Australian-based technology solutions company Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX:SPN) revealed today that it made has finished the first round of testing on the use of graphene to remediate water contaminated with poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).

Based on laboratory test results, Sparc noted that a graphene-based adsorbent material (Polyamine modified reduced Graphene Oxide or PArGO) was two times or 100 percent more effective than the industry-standard granulated activated carbon (GAC) at absorbing PFAS.

“The results from this round of test work are very encouraging in that they confirm the use of our graphene-enhanced adosrbent performs at a significantly higher level than products that are currently commercially available,” said Sparc Managing Director Tom Spurling.

Spurling added that the next step involves testing the product in an industrial environment, and determining whether the graphene membrane can effectively destroy PFAS.

Sparc also plans to undertake a scoping study to assess the economic viability of the graphene adsorbent, which was developed with the University of Adelaide.

PFAS is a man-made chemical often derived from the use of fire retardants and other industrial applications.

Exposure to water contaminated with PFAS causes a variety of human health issues, including reproductive, developmental and immunological conditions.