Bibliometric Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) from 2000 to 2023 Based on Web of Science Database

Perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been extensively used in many fields since the 1950s due to their distinctive chemical stability. PFASs are becoming emerging pollutants, and they have attracted special attention all over the world because of environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. Through bibliometric analysis, this study provides a visual analysis of 6055 articles about PFASs in the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2023. Research on PFASs can be divided into two stages, 2000–2014 and 2015–2023, and the number of publications and the frequency of citations increase rapidly in the latter stage. Studies on PFASs are highly interdisciplinary, mainly focusing on the cluster of ecological and environmental, involving environmental science, environmental engineering, and toxicology. The authors of the articles come from 106 countries, with the United States and China being the most productive contributors. However, China has a relatively low number of citations per article. A total of 2634 institutions have participated in the studies, and institutions from USA are outstanding. An analysis of author cooperation shows that authors from the USA lead in publication output and research activity. Some Chinese authors rank among the top contributors, but there is a need for stronger international cooperation. Keyword clusters and burst analysis reveal the key areas of research in PFASs, including chemical classification, environmental behavior, health effects, and removal methods. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the study of PFASs, offering valuable insights into emerging trends and serving as a critical reference for future research, policy development, and technological innovation.