Removal of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances from aqueous systems by nano-enabled water treatment strategies

Abstract

Exceptional properties at the nano-scale, if appropriately harnessed, will lead to innovations in water treatment.

Real-time degradation dynamics of hydrated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the presence of excess electrons

“…An efficient treatment often includes either direct in-situ destruction or removal of PFASs from contaminated water (for example, using sorption or nanofiltration) and their subsequent destruction in the wastewater concentrate. 16,17 Since perfluoroalkyl compounds primarily contain C-C and C-F bonds, the degradation of PFASs requires the dissociation of both of these bonds. However, breaking a C-C bond is less effective than C-F bond cleavage, 16,17 since the former generates short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances that are still found to be toxic.…”

“…16,17 Since perfluoroalkyl compounds primarily contain C-C and C-F bonds, the degradation of PFASs requires the dissociation of both of these bonds. However, breaking a C-C bond is less effective than C-F bond cleavage, 16,17 since the former generates short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances that are still found to be toxic. 18,19 Thus, the primary challenge in the complete treatment of PFAScontaminated water is the efficient dissociation of the strong C-F bonds in these pollutants.…”

Understanding and Managing the Potential By‐Products of PFAS Destruction

“…Vigilance around the potential for by‐products can enable the incorporation of effective countering/management strategies into water treatment and in situ remediation designs. This is an area of emerging importance for remediation practitioners that even extends to ongoing in situ remediation and ex situ water treatment that is unrelated to PFAS (McGuire et al ; Xiao et al ; Li et al ) and new technologies and the by‐products they can generate, for example those that begin to incorporate various forms of nanotechnology (Saleh et al ; Zhang et al ). It is an opportunity for us to work together to continue advancing the state of the science.…”

Photodegradation activity of yttrium-doped SnO2 nanoparticles against methylene blue dye and antibacterial effects

“…Point-source pollution of water bodies from organic contaminants as a result of industrial waste poses a growing threat to the world's ecosystems (Aristi et al 2015). Numerous methods have been proposed for the removal of toxins from wastewater to limit their effect on the environment (Saleh et al 2019). Remediation by methods such as photocatalytic treatment to remove dye toxins from wastewater is critical in order to prevent the death of aquatic animals, human disease, and destruction of ecosystems (Jayapandi et al 2019).…”