Cited by 742Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchAdvanced oxidation water treatmentEnvironmental remediation with nanomaterials

Destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with advanced reduction processes (ARPs): A critical review

Cui, Junkui, Gao, Panpan, Deng, Yang·2020·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

Abstract Advanced reduction processes (ARPs) have emerged as a promising method for destruction of persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water due to the generation of short-lived and highly reductive hydrated electrons (eaq–). This study provides a critical review on the mechanisms and performance of reductive destruction of PFAS with eaq–. Unique properties of eaq– and its generation in different ARP systems, particularly UV/sulfite and UV/iodide, are overviewed. Different degradation mechanisms of PFAS chemicals, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), and others (e.g., short chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), per- and polyfluoro dicarboxylic acids, and fluorotelomer carboxylic acids), are reviewed, discussed, and compared. The degradation pathways of these PFAS chemicals rely heavily upon their head groups. For specific PFAS types, fluoroalkyl chain lengths may also affect their reductive degradation patterns. Degradation and defluorination efficiencies of PFAS are considerably influenced by solution chemistry parameters and operating factors, such as pH, dose of chemical solute (i.e., sulfite or iodide) for eaq– photoproduction, dissolved oxygen, humic acid, nitrate, and temperature. Furthermore, implications of the state-of-the-art knowledge on practical PFAS control actions in water industries are discussed and the priority research needs are identified.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.est.9b05565

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Authors
Cui, J., Gao, P., & Deng, Y.
Affiliations
Montclair State University (US)
Corresponding author
Deng, Yang
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2020-03-12
Volume
54
Issue
7
Pages
3752-3766
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W3011034192
Cited by
742
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 122 · 2025: 115 · 2024: 101 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 273 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 17
FWCI
7.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (B18049)
  • Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (B18049)
  • Montclair State University
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Advanced oxidation water treatment
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Environmental remediation with nanomaterials
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS destruction, advanced reduction processes, hydrated electrons, reductive degradation, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonic acid, fluorotelomer carboxylic acids, defluorination, degradation pathways, solution chemistry, water treatment
MeSH terms
Carboxylic Acids, Fluorocarbons, Humic Substances, Iodides, Water Pollutants, Chemical

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