FKKT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the most persistent and environmentally problematic pollutants. Because of their chemical stability, surface activity and mobility in aqueous systems, they represent a major challenge for the protection of water resources and for the development of efficient water-treatment strategies. The removal of short-chain PFAS molecules from aqueous environments is particularly demanding, since these compounds often show lower affinity for conventional adsorbents.

Within project N1-0483, we will address and investigate the fundamental physicochemical properties that determine the interactions of PFAS with ionic liquids, nanoclays and hybrid adsorbents. The project will focus on layered double hydroxides (LDHs), halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and nanocomposites functionalized with ionic liquids, where the binding of PFAS can be influenced by tuning surface charge, hydrophobicity and structure.

The project is based on collaboration between the Slovenian research group at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, and the Hungarian group at the University of Szeged. The two groups have complementary research infrastructure and experience from previous joint projects in the fields of ionic liquids, nanoclays, colloidal stability, nanoplastics and scattering methods.

The cooperation includes knowledge exchange, joint experimental planning, short-term research visits, the use of complementary instrumentation and joint interpretation of results. The project will also contribute to the training of early-career researchers and doctoral students at the interface of physical chemistry, colloid chemistry, environmental materials and computational modelling.

The project will provide new knowledge on the behavior of PFAS in systems containing ionic liquids, nanoclays and ionic-liquid-functionalized nanocomposites. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between molecular interactions, adsorbent nanostructure, colloidal stability and adsorption efficiency. In the long term, this knowledge may contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable strategies for addressing PFAS as persistent aqueous pollutants.

Figure 1. Schematic representation of selected PFAS, ILs, LDHs and HNTs investigated in the project.

The main hypothesis of the project is that ionic liquids, nanoclays and ionic-liquid-functionalized nanoclays can act as tunable and efficient adsorbents for PFAS. The project therefore addresses three related research questions:

• How do PFAS interact with ionic liquids, LDHs and HNTs at the molecular and colloidal levels?
• Can PFAS binding selectivity and efficiency be improved by selecting appropriate ionic liquids, surface functionalization strategies and nanostructural design?
• Can IL/LDH/HNT hybrid composites increase the efficiency of PFAS removal while preserving stability and reusability under environmentally relevant conditions?

The project is fundamental in its research nature. Its aim is not merely to test adsorption efficiency, but to understand which molecular, colloidal and nanostructural factors determine the efficiency, selectivity, stability and regeneration of the materials.

The project is divided into three thematically connected phases, which follow the sequence from understanding basic interactions to optimizing materials and verifying performance in more complex aqueous systems:

    Year 1: interactions of PFAS with ionic liquids and nanoclays,
    Year 2: optimization of ionic liquids and nanomaterials for PFAS removal,
    Year 3: IL/LDH/HNT composites and verification of their performance under more realistic conditions.

Figure 2. Schematic representation of the three-year work plan: interactions, adsorbent optimization and composite validation.

Project results will be added after the publication of scientific contributions.

Research articles:

1. P. Tamás, D. Takács, B. Katana, Ş. M. Simav, G. Terjéki, V. Hornok, S. Sáringer, M. Tomšič, I. Szilágyi. PFAS-Induced Charge Regulation and Aggregation in Polystyrene Nanoplastic Colloids. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2026, 17, 5486–5492. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00866 [COBISS.SI-ID 277371395]
2. J. Kovač, A. Jamnik, I. Szilágyi, M. Tomšič. Angle-Dependent X-Ray Absorption Correction in Small- and Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering: Accounting for Constrained Scattering Volume, Beam Profiles and Capillary Wall Attenuation. Journal of Applied Crystallography 2026, 59(5). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576726006837 [COBISS.SI-ID 288280579]

Published data:

1. J. Kovač, A. Jamnik, I. Szilágyi, M. Tomšič. Experimental and Calculated Scattering Data, Together with Calculated Angle-Dependent Transmission Coefficients: Research Data Underlying the Article. Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani, 2026. PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185662 [COBISS.SI-ID 288658179]

Conference contributions:

1. J. Kovač, A. Jamnik, I. Szilágyi, M. Tomšič. Angle-dependent self-absorption correction in line-collimated Kratky-type SAXS and SWAXS experimental geometries. Oral presentation. SAXS&XRD excites: International SAXS & XRD Symposia 2026, Graz University of Technology, Austria, April 13–16, 2026. Graz: Anton Paar, 2026, p. 35. COBISS.SI-ID 278148355