As regulatory standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances
(PFAS) become increasingly stringent, innovative water treatment technologies
are urgently demanded for effective PFAS removal. Reported sorbents
often exhibit limited affinity for PFAS and are frequently hindered
by competitive background substances. Recently, fluorinated sorbents
(abbreviated as fluorosorbents) have emerged as a potent solution
by leveraging fluorine–fluorine (F···F) interactions
to enhance selectivity and efficiency in PFAS removal. This review
delves into the designs and applications of fluorosorbents, emphasizing
how F···F interactions improve PFAS binding affinity.
Specifically, the existence of F···F interactions results
in removal efficiencies orders of magnitude higher than other counterpart
sorbents, particularly under competitive conditions. Furthermore,
we provide a detailed analysis of the fundamental principles underlying
F···F interactions and elucidate their synergistic
effects with other sorption forces, which contribute to the enhanced
efficacy and selectivity. Subsequently, we examine various fluorosorbents
and their synthesis and fluorination techniques, underscore the importance
of accurately characterizing F···F interactions through
advanced analytical methods, and emphasize the significance of this
interaction in developing selective sorbents. Finally, we discuss
challenges and opportunities associated with employing advanced techniques
to guide the design of selective sorbents and advocate for further
research in the development of sustainable and cost-effective treatment
technologies leveraging F···F interactions.