Period of performance: july 1, 2025 - june 30, 2027MOLECULARLY imprinted polymer based electrochemical sensing (MIP-ES) of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): detection and transport the…

Purdue University received a $200,000 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Under this award, researchers will optimize and deploy molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors (MIP-ES) for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental water systems. The primary deliverable is the development and field evaluation of advanced PFAS detection technology suitable for in-field deployment in both surface water and groundwater matrices, utilizing water samples provided by the USGS to validate sensor performance in complex, real-world environmental conditions.

The research activities focus on enhancing sensor capabilities through multiple technical refinements, including improving detection sensitivity and lowering limits of detection via binding kinetics studies, sensor miniaturization, and surface characterization analysis. Additional work addresses sensor reliability through investigations into variation mitigation, topology definition, and binding site homogeneity optimization. By the project's conclusion, the researchers will have delivered a robust, field-deployable PFAS sensing platform with validated efficacy for environmental monitoring applications, supported by rigorous testing protocols and comprehensive analysis of sensor performance across varying environmental matrices.

Period of performance: july 1, 2025 - june 30, 2027MOLECULARLY imprinted polymer based electrochemical sensing (MIP-ES) of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): detection and transport the purpose of this award is to further optimize molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrochemical sensors applied to complex environmental matrices through the application of a ratiometric determination method of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) identification. The researchers will focus on in-field deployment and evaluation of the figures of merit for molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensing in both surface water and groundwater systems while applying the ratiometric method in the identified complex environmental sample matrices. This continues an ongoing effort to explore the efficacy and feasibility of deployable PFAS sensors in environmental waterways through rigorous testing and application in real world samples. Over the tenure of this project the development of the molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensors for in-field deployment will involve further tests in water samples sourced by the united states geological survey (USGS) which will lead to a better understanding of overall effectiveness in detection of PFAS in ever changing and complex environmental matrices. Further investigation will take place in methods to lower the limit of detection through increasing sensitivity of the sensor modality. This investigation will focus on binding kinetics studies, miniaturization of the sensing platform, and deeper understanding of surface characterization of the molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensor. Further investigation into mitigation of sensor variation will also take place through defining sensor topology and defining sensor binding site homogeneity. In the second year of this award the molecularly imprinted polymer-based PFAS sensor will be evaluated for robustness in terms of transport and deployment for in-field detection of PFAS in surface water and ground water systems. This will involve investigation into electropolymerization parameters and correlation to sensor robustness for deployment.