Emergent Materials and Processes for Efficient Environmental Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Containment

The past several decades have seen persistent and cumulative contamination of the environment by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PAFAS) due to the increase in utilization of such compounds in a myriad of applications owing to their inherent stability. While this stability resulting from their exceptional thermodynamically-stable C–F bonds has been a boon in applications, in contrast, with regard to their post-application lives, it has become a bane due to the remarkable recalcitrance of the C–F bonds upon permeation of the environment. Deleterious effects of such compounds on human and bio-organisms include a host of diseases and other environmental problems. Extensive studies on containment strategies for PFASs during the past few decades have included steps such as capture and thermal incinerationIncineration, various catalytic degradation strategies, and biodegradationBiodegradation efforts using microorganisms leading to partial destruction of these compounds. This review specifically focuses on the most recent emergent techniques in this area.