Remediation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)- Contaminated Environments: Emerging Nanomaterials, Electrochemical, and Biological Strategies

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of synthetic chemicals widely used for their hydrophobic and lipophobic properties in industrial and consumer products. However, their extreme persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity have led to significant environmental and human health concerns. Conventional treatment methods are often inadequate for PFAS removal due to the stability of the carbon-fluorine bond. In recent years, innovative approaches have emerged, particularly those employing advanced nanomaterials, electrochemical oxidation, and biological degradation techniques. Nanomaterial-based remediation leverages high surface area and tailored surface functionalities for enhanced adsorption and catalytic breakdown of PFAS. Electrochemical methods offer controllable and energy-efficient degradation pathways, capable of mineralizing PFAS into less harmful by-products. Meanwhile, biological strategies, though still developing, present sustainable and cost-effective prospects through microbial adaptation and enzymatic degradation mechanisms. Despite these advancements, key challenges remain, including incomplete defluorination, by-product formation, scalability, and economic feasibility. Future research should focus on integrating these methods into hybrid systems, optimizing materials design, and understanding degradation mechanisms at the molecular level to achieve effective and sustainable PFAS remediation.