Progress in the decomposition of PFAS: from small molecules to fluoropolymers

Environmental concern over organofluorine compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has increased in recent years. PFAS comprise both non-polymeric and polymeric species, some of which-particularly polymeric PFAS-remain industrially important. Alongside growing awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of non-polymeric PFAS, such as perfluorocarboxylic acids and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids, which are toxic, mobile, bioaccumulative, and capable of crossing biological membranes, the development of destruction technologies for both non-polymeric and polymeric PFAS that convert these compounds into harmless fluoride ions (i.e., mineralization) has expanded significantly. In addition, upcycling processes to high-value chemicals have also begun to emerge. In this review, we focus on advances in decomposition technologies for these compounds reported over the past two decades, highlighting recent progress to stimulate further research in this field.