Isaac Putzier, “Synthesis of Polyeurothane Foam with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Arsenic Filtration”
Mentor: Krishna Pillai, Mechanical Engineering

The research done in this study aims to prove that polyurethane foam can be a cost-efficient way to remove arsenic from drinking water.  Arsenic contamination in drinking water is a problem that many countries including the United States of America are facing today. Arsenic is a carcinogen, so when it is consumed it can cause many underlying health concerns.  Arsenic will be removed from water by running it through a filter with Iron oxide impregnated polyurethane foam.  Polyurethane foam is made from a synthesis of toluene di-isocyanate (TDI), polypropylene glycol (PPG), surfactant, deionized water, and iron oxide nano particles.  The iron oxide nano particles attract and help absorb arsenic from water.  The question currently being investigated is why the polyurethane foam structure is collapsing after synthetization. To answer this problem, the lab team is conducting synthetizations with different ratios of deionized water and analyzing the effects on the foam. So far, no conclusions have been made.  Once the polyurethane foam can be successfully produced, the next step in the research will be to test how well it absorbs arsenic from water.  Water with a predetermined amount of arsenic will be pumped through a filter containing the polyurethane foam. The arsenic content will be measured before and after to see how effective the filter is. If this research proves successful, and the ability to remove arsenic from water cheaply is attained, many people will benefit from not consuming water contaminated with arsenic.