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Surface Science View of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in the Environment
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This review applies surface science principles to explain how per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) behave at environmental interfaces, arguing that their amphiphilic chemistry drives their persistence, transport across air-water and solid-water boundaries, and accumulation in ecosystems and human tissues.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a notorious category of anthropogenic contaminants, detected across various environmental domains. Among these PFAS, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) stand out as a focal point in discussions due to their historical industrial utilization and environmental prominence. Their extensive industrial adoption is a direct consequence of their remarkable stability and outstanding amphiphilic properties. However, these very traits that have made PFAAs industrially desirable also render them environmentally catastrophic, leading to adverse consequences for ecosystems. The amphiphilic nature of PFAAs has made them highly unique in the landscape of anthropogenic contaminants and, thereby, difficult to study. We believe that well-established principles from surface science can connect the amphiphilic nature of PFAAs to their accumulation and transport in the environment. Specifically, we discuss the role of interfacial science in describing the stability, interfacial uptake (air-liquid and solid-liquid), and wetting capability of PFAAs. Surface science principles can provide new insights into the environmental fate of PFAAs, as well as provide context on their deleterious effects on both the environment and human health.
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Interfacial Activity and Surface pKa of Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids (PFCAs)
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Researchers measured the interfacial activity and acidity of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, a class of widely used synthetic chemicals known for environmental persistence. They found that these chemicals behave differently at the air-water interface compared to in bulk solution, which helps explain longstanding discrepancies in reported acidity values. The study improves understanding of how persistent synthetic chemicals like PFAS behave at environmental interfaces, relevant to the broader study of synthetic pollutants.
Uptake and release of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) from macro and microplastics
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Researchers studied how perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, a class of persistent PFAS chemicals, interact with both macro and microplastics in aquatic environments. They found that microplastics can adsorb and later release these harmful chemicals, with the interaction influenced by the amphiphilic properties of the contaminants. The findings suggest that microplastics may serve as carriers for PFAS contamination, potentially increasing exposure pathways for organisms in the environment.
Adsorption of Forever Chemical Pollutants: The Physical Chemistry of PFAS near Surfaces
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This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the physical chemistry governing how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) adsorb onto solid surfaces, covering molecular interactions, thermodynamics, kinetics, and the influence of environmental variables like pH and salinity. The authors identify critical knowledge gaps that currently limit the development of effective adsorption-based remediation strategies for these persistent 'forever chemical' pollutants.
What Do We Know About Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? Issues, Challenges, Regulations, and Possible Alternatives
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This review distinguishes between low-molecular-weight PFAS compounds, which are toxic, mobile, and bioaccumulative, and high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers classified as low-concern, while surveying the evolving regulatory landscape in Europe and the US and exploring potential alternatives as restrictions tighten globally.
Behavior of perfluorochemicals on solid surfaces : sorption and mineralization processes
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This study investigated the sorption behavior of PFOS and PFOA perfluorinated compounds on alumina mineral surfaces, finding that pH, ionic strength, and competing humic acid all affect their adsorption capacity. PFAS compounds are persistent chemical pollutants often found co-occurring with microplastics in environmental samples, and understanding their sorption behavior informs remediation strategies.
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