Strategies for the Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Review

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of synthetic fluorine-containing organic compounds that exhibit chemical and thermal stability due to the highly stable carbon–fluorine bonds present in their molecular structures. This characteristic makes them slow to degrade in the natural environment. With the widespread application of these compounds in the industrial and consumer goods sectors, environmental media such as water, air, soil, and food have been severely polluted, posing a range of significant threats to public health. Therefore, the development of efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly PFAS removal technologies has become a current research hotspot. This review systematically summarizes the current technologies for removing PFASs from four perspectives—physical, chemical, biological, and combined treatments—enabling a clear understanding of the existing treatment strategies to be discussed. In addition, suggestions for future research on PFAS removal are provided.