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Molecularly imprinted polymers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances enrichment and detection
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Researchers reviewed the use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) — synthetic materials engineered to selectively bind specific molecules — as adsorbents and sensors for detecting and removing PFAS 'forever chemicals' from environmental water, summarizing preparation methods, transduction approaches, and remaining technical barriers to real-world deployment.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly toxic pollutants of significant concern as they are being detected in water, air, fish and soil. They are extremely persistent and accumulate in plant and animal tissues. Traditional methods of detection and removal of these substances use specialised instrumentation and require a trained technical resource for operation. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), polymeric materials with predetermined selectivity for a target molecule, have recently begun to be exploited in technologies for the selective removal and monitoring of PFAS in environmental waters. This review offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in MIPs, both as adsorbents for PFAS removal and sensors that selectively detect PFAS at environmentally-relevant concentrations. PFAS-MIP adsorbents are classified according to their method of preparation (e.g., bulk or precipitation polymerization, surface imprinting), while PFAS-MIP sensing materials are described and discussed according to the transduction methods used (e.g., electrochemical, optical). This review aims to comprehensively discuss the PFAS-MIP research field. The efficacy and challenges facing the different applications of these materials in environmental water applications are discussed, as well as a perspective on challenges for this field that need to be overcome before exploitation of the technology can be fully realised.
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Scientists have developed tiny magnetic particles that can grab onto "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and even microplastics in water, then be pulled out with a magnet, removing up to 95% of contamination. This matters because PFAS are linked to health problems like cancer and hormone disruption, and current water treatment struggles to filter them out, especially at low levels; this reusable magnetic approach worked in real-world settings like drinking water, river water, and wastewater, suggesting a practical path toward cleaner water for communities dealing with PFAS pollution.
Review of Recent Computational Research on the Adsorption of PFASs with a Variety of Substrates
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This review summarizes recent computer modeling research on how PFAS, sometimes called "forever chemicals," stick to various materials, which could help develop better cleanup methods. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics, both are persistent environmental pollutants that resist breakdown and accumulate in the body. Understanding how these chemicals interact with surfaces at the molecular level could lead to more effective ways to remove them from contaminated water and soil.
Molecular-Scale Insights into the Interactions between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyethylene
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics can strongly attract and hold onto toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS, which are already found in drinking water and food. This means microplastics in our environment could act like sponges that collect these harmful chemicals and potentially transport them to new places, including into our bodies. The research helps explain why these two types of pollution might work together to create bigger health risks than either one alone.
Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and nanoplastics from water using selected nanomaterial-based membranes: A review
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"Forever chemicals" (PFAS) and tiny plastic particles are showing up in drinking water and are linked to health problems, so scientists urgently need better ways to filter them out. This review pulls together research on cutting-edge filter materials—super-thin, specially engineered membranes—that show real promise for trapping these pollutants more effectively than current methods. The catch: these filters aren't ready for your kitchen faucet yet, since researchers still need to make them cheaper to produce, longer-lasting, and effective in real-world water that's also full of salts and other contaminants.
Cationic Nanoparticle Networks (CNNs) with Remarkably Efficient, Simultaneous Adsorption of Microplastics and PFAS
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Researchers developed a new type of polymer-based material called cationic nanoparticle networks that can simultaneously remove both microplastics and PFAS (so-called forever chemicals) from water. The best-performing material achieved record-high microplastic removal capacity and worked effectively even in seawater and at varying pH levels. The technology offers a promising dual-purpose approach for addressing two of the most persistent water pollutants at the same time.
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