SONIA VOHRA 

Brown University, PhD in Chemical & Environmental Engineering 

GFL Scholar 2026 

Project Title 

Electrocatalytically Regenerable Activated Carbon for Integrated PFAS Capture-and-Destruction in Landfill Leachate 

Project Description 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are persistent contaminants that can enter landfill leachate when PFAS-containing materials are disposed of in municipal solid waste landfills. Activated carbon is currently the most widely implemented technology for PFAS removal from landfill leachate. Spent activated carbon is often landfilled because it is less expensive than thermal reactivation or incineration, both of which are energy-intensive and may generate undesirable organic byproducts and greenhouse gases. As a result, PFAS are effectively transferred to a secondary solid phase and reintroduced into landfill systems, where ongoing leachate production can sustain environmental, public health, and regulatory liabilities.  Vohra’s research addresses this limitation by developing an electrocatalytically regenerable activated carbon capable of both adsorbing and degrading PFAS, enabling repeated reuse of treatment media within municipal solid waste landfill infrastructure. The first stage of this research involves modifying commercially available, high-performing activated carbon with rhodium and palladium nanoparticles that have previously been shown to promote the reductive defluorination of PFAS using hydrogen gas. The second stage involves electrifying this process by replacing molecular hydrogen with an applied potential, allowing electrons and protons to drive defluorination while eliminating the need for an external gas supply. As sorbed PFAS are degraded, adsorption sites are restored, enabling in situ regeneration without thermal treatment. Ultimately, this research aims to establish integrated capture-and-destruction as a design principle for reusable sorbent systems, reducing secondary waste generation and energy demand while redefining activated carbon from a consumable adsorbent into a regenerative platform for sustainable contaminant management. 

Biography 

Sonia Vohra studied Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a minor in Biology at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, followed by a Master of Science in Molecular Engineering with a focus on Polymer Science and Engineering from The University of Chicago. After completing her master’s degree, she spent two years at a Boston-area startup focused on mining tailings remediation and rare earth metal refining, where she developed strategies to recover value from complex waste streams. She is currently a fourth-year PhD candidate in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Brown University. Her research focuses on advancing adsorptive and reductive technologies for the integrated capture-and-destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with the goal of developing more sustainable approaches to contaminant management in solid waste systems. Beyond her research, Sonia enjoys engaging others in conversations about sustainability as a committee member for the Brown Seminar Series on Environment and Society. She also enjoys spending time outdoors through mountain biking, exploring the ocean, and expanding her collection of unique rocks.