Metrohm's 2025 Young Chemist Explores Supercritical Water Oxidation in PFAS Research

At Pittcon 2025, Metrohm USA recognized Elham “Elle” Akbari, who was the 2025 winner of Metrohm USA’s Young Chemist Award. Akbari is a teaching assistant and researcher at Temple University. She was recognized for her research project, titled “Thermal Treatment of PFAS: Investigating Pathways to Effective Destruction” (1). As a researcher at Temple University, Akbari focuses on supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) as a potential large-scale remediation technique. Her work analyzes SCWO's effectiveness under different conditions, aiming to optimize the process, overcome challenges, and contribute to scalable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) destruction technologies (2).

PFAS are synthetic chemicals known for persistence in the environment and potential health risks (1). These chemicals are known for being resistant to degradation and can accumulate rapidly in ecosystems, making remediation challenging (1). Conventional treatment methods, such as ion exchange resins and granular activated carbon (GAC), can capture PFAS, but they pose disposal challenges (1).

Thermal degradation offers a promising solution by breaking PFAS’ strong carbon-fluorine bonds at temperatures above 500 °C in oxygen-rich conditions, converting it into less hazardous compounds like carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic fluorides (1). Akbari’s research focuses on supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) as an advanced thermal treatment method for large-scale PFAS destruction (1). The research Akbari conducted evaluated PFAS degradation in individual and mixed samples, including real-world water utility samples, under varying operational conditions and residence times (1).

Akbari initially didn’t pursue a career in environmental engineering. Following her graduation from high school Akbari followed in the footsteps of her brother and father, and she chose to pursue a career in mining engineering (2). Eventually, a trip to a mine and processing plant helped her realize that she was more interested in studying how to mitigate the effects of pollution and explore how technology can help aid in this effort (2).

Akbari sat down with LCGC International to discuss this research, as well as the challenges of using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to characterize PFAS in environmental samples.

References

1. Metrohm USA, 2025 Young Chemist Award Winner. Metrohm. Available at: https://youngchemistaward.metrohmusa.com/2025-winner (accessed 2025-03-06).
2. Chasse, J. A Conversation with Metrohm USA’s 2025 Young Chemist Award Winner Elham Akbari. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/a-conversation-with-metrohm-usa-s-2025-young-chemist-award-winner-elham-akbari (accessed 2025-03-06).