Fighting PFAS with PFAS
By Rafael Verduzco​ and Michael S. Wong
ACS Central Sci.
May 4, 2020
DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00164
As the old saying (or classic Metallica song) goes, “Fight fire with fire”. When the target is poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), however, fire will not do the job. PFAS are toxic synthetic chemical contaminants widespread in the environment, including in drinking water and soil. PFAS contain partially fluorinated alkyl tails and can be amphiphilic and lipophilic and dissolve in water, making remediation particularly challenging. There is a need for technologies that can remove and remediate PFAS and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in the environment to prevent further accumulation and reduce the impact on human health. In this issue of ACS Central Science, Kumarasamy et al.(1) present an innovative strategy for removing PFAS from water with a hydrogel that contains perfluoropolyethers, literally fighting PFAS with PFAS.
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