Issue 11, 2025

Complete aqueous defluorination of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) by pulsed electrolysis with tailored potential modulation

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are harmful and persistent global water contaminants. AFFF, a foam-forming aqueous mixture used for firefighting, is a major source of PFAS pollution and challenging to defluorinate. We report the complete photo-assisted electrocatalytic defluorination of PFAS in AFFF with nonprecious materials. The high salt content in the aqueous LiOH electrolyte prevented foaming. Pulsed electrolysis with tailored potential modulation balanced anodic fluoride removal and the adsorption of unreacted anionic PFAS. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of pulsed electrocatalysis in defluorinating persistent PFAS in AFFF.

Graphical abstract: Complete aqueous defluorination of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) by pulsed electrolysis with tailored potential modulation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Nov 2024
Accepted
05 Mar 2025
First published
17 Mar 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2025,15, 8287-8292

Complete aqueous defluorination of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) by pulsed electrolysis with tailored potential modulation

Z. Meng, T. Taseska, M. K. Wilsey and A. M. Müller, RSC Adv., 2025, 15, 8287 DOI: 10.1039/D4RA08214A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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