Advanced Polymer Composites for Effective Removal of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Pollutants From Aqueous Solutions

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is extensively utilized in industrial applications, posing significant environmental and health risks because of its persistence and toxicity. Effective elimination methods are vital to mitigate its adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. In this study, we investigate the potential of biomass-derived polymer composite for PFOA adsorption in aqueous solution. Due to its unique surface interaction and porosity, the polymer-based composite derived from sustainable biomass sources exhibits favorable adsorption characteristics. The physicochemical properties of polymer composites were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, XPS, and BET analysis. The polymer composites reached a maximum PFOA adsorption efficiency about 93.3% under optimized conditions determined by Box Behnken Design. The Langmuir isotherm model revealed and provided an adsorption capacity of PFOA about 13.98 mg g^-1. Moreover, the polymer-based composites demonstrated reusability, with removal rates of PFOA ranging from 93.3% to 52% over the course of four cycles after desorption. Our findings underscore the possibility of biomass-derived polymer composites as long-term and effective adsorbents for PFOA removal from aqueous environments.