Integrated nano-enabled detection and remediation strategies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in water and soil: From molecular mechanisms to scalable solutions

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are one of the most critical environmental issues, due to their high persistence, bioaccumulation and ubiquitous contamination of water, soil and agroecosystems. Traditional remediation methods such as activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, and chemical oxidation are not effective at destroying PFAS, are expensive, and create secondary waste streams. This critical review explores the transformative role of integrated nano-enabled technologies in the management of PFAS comprehensively. We systematically test the adsorption capacities of advanced nanomaterials such as functionalized graphene oxide, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zero-valent iron nanoparticles and nanocomposite membranes, which have unprecedented adsorption capacities of up to 450 mg/g and unprecedented selectivity for short and long-chain PFAS. In addition to physical removal, we emphasize breakthrough catalytic degradation strategies, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and piezocatalysis, which can break recalcitrant C-F bonds and defluorinate > 95% under optimized conditions. Most importantly, we evaluate the new integration of nano-enabled sensors with remediation systems, which allows for real-time monitoring and adaptive treatment strategies. This review highlights the knowledge gaps on scalability, material recyclability, life-cycle environmental impacts and techno-economic feasibility, and suggests research priorities for field deployment. This book brings together the latest developments in the design, understanding and hybrid treatment systems of nanomaterials to offer a pathway to sustainable, cost-effective and regulatory-compliant PFAS mitigation technologies needed to safeguard water resources and food safety in contaminated agroecosystems.