Efficient mineralization of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using subcritical water

Abstract This highlight review presents effective methodologies for the mineralization of industrial per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which still lack viable replacements that can meet stringent performance requirements. The approaches discussed here employ subcritical water, with the ultimate goal of recovering fluorine from these substances. The examples include both non-polymeric compounds—such as fluorochemicals used in secondary batteries and fluorinated silane coupling agents for surface modification—as well as polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), fluoroelastomers (FKMs), and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP).