Adsorption of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from aqueous solution: A review
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained increasingly global attention in recent years. Due to their unique amphiphilic properties and stability, PFASs are recognized as highly persistent, toxic, and environmentally bioaccumulative. Among several physicochemical technologies, adsorption has been extensively used and proved to be an effective method for removing PFASs from aqueous environment. In this review article, the technical feasibility of the use of different adsorbents, such as activated carbon, ion exchange resins, minerals, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and a wide range of potentially low-cost biosorbents, for PFASs removal from water or wastewater is critically reviewed. The evaluation and comparison of their PFASs sorption behavior in terms of kinetics and isotherms is presented. The mechanisms involved in PFASs adsorption processes, such as diffusion, electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange and hydrogen bond, are discussed. The effects of the parameters variability on sorption process are highlighted. Based on the literature reviewed, a few recommendations for future research on PFASs adsorption are also elaborated. Capsule: The adsorption behavior and mechanisms of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on various adsorbents are reviewed.
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PFAS are known to be retained in the subsurface through various retention processes.
“The latter is possible, as PFAS are known to be retained in the subsurface through various retention processes (Brusseau, 2018; Zhang et al., 2019).”
From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mass flux and mass balance at an aqueous film-forming foam release site in semiarid eastern New Mexico, USA (2025) · cites this paper as Zhang et al., 2019
PFAS compounds have low dissociation constants, meaning they easily dissolve in water while reducing the ability of adsorbents to capture and retain them.
“PFAS compounds have low dissociation constants meaning they easily dissolve in water while reducing the ability of adsorbents to capture and retain these compounds (Zhang et al., 2019).”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Zhang et al., 2019
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- Authors
- Zhang, D. Q., Zhang, W. L., & Liang, Y. N.
- Affiliations
- Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology (CN)
- State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Liang, Y.N.
- Venue
- Science of The Total Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-12
- Volume
- 694
- Pages
- 133606
- ISSN
- 0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2964361496
- Cited by
- 463
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 62 · 2025: 86 · 2024: 81 · 2023: 70 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 3.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- erratum (2020-12-15)
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fluoride Effects and Removal
- Keywords
- per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS adsorption, PFAS removal from water, wastewater treatment, activated carbon, ion exchange resins, molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon nanotubes, biosorbent, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, adsorption mechanism, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, ion exchange
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