Project description
A new solution for the removal of PFAS from wastewater
Wastewater treatment is key to reducing environmental damage that affects regions worldwide, especially areas neighbouring industrial and urban centres. Unfortunately, most current wastewater treatment solutions are unable to handle the volume of wastewater and often cannot remove key substances, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The EU-funded PECO-WET project is developing an efficient solar-driven photoelectrochemical oxidation (PEO) solution, combined with constructed wetlands (CW), to enable the removal of PFAS from wastewater. The project will use the PEO to improve PFAS degradation efficiency and conditions for the CWs, allowing them to more efficiently and reliably achieve natural polishing and contaminant removal.
Objective
This proposal aims to develop a novel low-cost, solar-driven photo-electrochemical oxidation (PEO) coupled with constructed wetlands (CWs) for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater. The central innovation is the integration of using a nitrogen-doped laser-induced graphene (N-LIG) based Fe–Ni layered double hydroxide (LDH) photoanode along with native Coimbra species for CWs. The PEO step not only ensures efficient PFAS degradation but also enhances biodegradability index of transformation products, creating a favorable influent quality for CWs to achieve natural polishing. This synergy enables reliable contaminant removal while reducing energy and operational costs through the use of solar energy and local natural systems. The treated water will be safely reused for irrigation, landscaping, and other non-potable applications, directly supporting circular water economy principles. By reducing the toxicity and persistence of PFAS before CW treatment, the system extends the lifetime and efficiency of natural wetlands while minimizing sludge production and chemical demand. The low-cost PEO process, coupled with CW units, provides a viable pathway for scale-up and real-world application. This approach is adaptable to decentralised wastewater treatment, industrial discharges as well as municipal reuse projects. The reliance on this proposal aims to develop a low-cost, solar-driven PFAS treatment system as a natural polishing step. The hybrid process enhances PFAS degradation, enables safe water reuse for irrigation and landscaping, and supports sustainable technologies to support scalability and commercialization for real-world wastewater treatment applications.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3004-531 Coimbra
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.