Electrochemical Degradation and Defluorination of PFAS (‘Forever Chemicals’) for Sustainable Water Remediation

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often described as ‘forever chemicals,’ are persistent contaminants that resist many conventional water-treatment processes. This qualitative documentary study examines electrochemical degradation and defluorination as approaches for sustainable PFAS remediation. An interpretivist and exploratory design was used to synthesize evidence from peer-reviewed research, review articles, authoritative environmental reports, and relevant institutional and regulatory documents. Thematic analysis generated five interrelated themes: PFAS persistence and the distinction between removal and destruction; electrochemical transformation and defluorination mechanisms; electrode materials and process conditions; transformation products, treatment uncertainty, and verification; and sustainability, scalability, and integration with water-remediation systems. The reviewed evidence indicates that electrochemical oxidation and reduction can promote PFAS transformation and C–F bond cleavage, but parent-compound disappearance does not necessarily demonstrate complete defluorination or mineralization. Treatment performance varies with PFAS structure, electrode properties, solution chemistry, water matrix, reactor configuration, and energy demand. Important uncertainties remain regarding short-chain transformation products, fluorine fate, electrode durability, energy efficiency, and translation from laboratory systems to realistic water matrices. Overall, electrochemical treatment is best interpreted as a developing destructive-treatment platform whose practical value depends on reliable verification of degradation products, durable materials, realistic-water testing, and system-level sustainability assessment.