Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40944789›Full record

ArticleJournal of molecular modeling2025

Modification of biochar by iron containing adsorption centers as a method to enhance the remediation of perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) and (PFOS) acids from water and soil: a density functional theory study.

Leonid Gorb, Anita Sosnowska, Natalia Bulawska, Danuta Leszczynska, Tomasz Puzyn, Jerzy Leszczynski

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of molecular modeling, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Leonid GorbInstitute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine, 150 Zabolotny Str.,, Kiev, 03143, Ukraine. lgorb@icnanotox.org.
Anita SosnowskaLaboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Department of Environmental Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
Natalia BulawskaLaboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Department of Environmental Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
Danuta LeszczynskaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA.
Tomasz PuzynLaboratory of Environmental Chemoinformatics, Department of Environmental Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
Jerzy LeszczynskiDepartment of Chemistry, Jackson State University, Physics & Atmospheric Sciences, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

contextPerfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with over 15,000 types listed in the US EPA's CompTox database, are found in everyday items like textiles, packaging, firefighting foams, and medical devices. Their widespread use has led to concerning health effects-including cancers, elevated cholesterol, and fertility issues-with detectable levels present in 98% of Americans. While perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulphonic (PFOS) are among the most studied, their environmental behavior and ecological interactions remain poorly understood. Advances in computer-based methods, including chemoinformatics and quantum modeling, now aid in predicting properties and simulating PFAS dynamics. Biochar (BC), produced via biomass pyrolysis under limited oxygen, is known for its porosity and adsorption capabilities. Magnetic biochar (MBC), enhanced with iron-based compounds, adds the benefit of magnetic separation, making it ideal for water decontamination. This paper explores the use of MBC to remove PFOA and PFOS from the environment, leveraging computational tools to investigate molecular interactions and adsorption properties.

methodsA doubled crystallographic unit of hematite (Fe₂₄O₃₆) was constructed and fully optimized using density functional theory (DFT) with the M06-2X functional. Geometry optimization used the 6-31G(d,p) basis set, while single-point energies were calculated with 6-311 + + G(d,p). Antiferromagnetic conditions were ensured by setting the total spin to zero (Sz = 0), and triplet instability analysis was performed to evaluate ferromagnetic potential. To simulate bulk water effects on adsorption, the CPCM solvation model (ε = 78.3) was applied. Harmonic frequency analysis confirmed structural minima, and Gibbs free energies were calculated using Gaussian 16. PFOA and PFOS, with highly negative pKa values (~ -0.1 and <). Quadratic SCF convergence (scf = qc) addressed numerical challenges, and interaction energies were corrected for basis set superposition error using the counterpoise method. Calculated IR spectra and molecular visualizations were generated with Chemcraft, without applying scaling factors.

Indexed as

Density functional theory (DFT)Magnetic biocharPerfluorooctanesulphonic acidPerfluorooctanoic acidPFAS remediationPoly-fluoroalkyl substances

Identifiers

PMID40944789
PMCPMC12433338

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.