Superfund Research Program

October 2024

Hot Publication

SRP-funded researchers at Villanova University identified specific molecular structures that improve the ability of biochar to trap and destroy the groundwater contaminant 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP). These structures are called N groups, because they contain nitrogen and behave in similar ways.

“Cleaning up TCP is difficult, because it moves easily through the environment and is resistant to degradation,” said study leader Wenqing Xu. “Previous research suggests that adding N groups to biochar can help break down TCP, so we wanted to test that.”

To identify which N groups are most effective at degrading TCP, the team attached various N groups to synthetic polymers similar to biochar and tested their ability to degrade TCP at different temperatures.

They found two N groups were particularly good at breaking down TCP, because they lowered the energy needed for the degradation reaction. N groups that are more reactive to TCP may explain the better performance, said the team. Their analysis also revealed that the ideal temperature for TCP degradation was 45–60 °C.

“These findings suggest modifying polymers with specific N groups can capture and destroy TCP at lower temperatures than current industry methods, which typically require temperatures of 100 °C or higher” Xu said. “This approach may offer a more efficient solution for contaminant removal.”

To learn more, please refer to the following sources:

  • Cao H, Mao J, Tratnyek PG, Xu W. 2024. Role of nitrogenous functional group identity in accelerating 1,2,3-trichloropropane degradation by pyrogenic carbonaceous matter (PCM) and sulfide using PCM-like polymers. Environ Sci Technol 58(24):10752-10763. doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c11010 PMID:38848107