From capture to circularity: Carbon-based adsorbents bridging adsorption, regeneration, and destruction pathways for sustainable PFAS remediation

Abstract

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) persist in water systems due to their extreme chemical stability and weak degradability, demanding treatment approaches that extend beyond simple capture.This review delineates the molecular-to-system framework governing PFAS adsorption, regeneration, and destruction on carbon-based materials under realistic conditions. Mechanistic insights reveal that hydrophobic partitioning, electrostatic steering, and fluorophilic affinity jointly control adsorption, while pore blocking, dissolved organics, and temperature govern short-chain breakthrough and desorption. Advances in nitrogen/fluorine-doped carbons, hierarchical porosity, and hybrid magnetic or electroactive scaffolds enable rapid, selective uptake and multi-cycle regeneration. Coupled destructive pathways-electrochemical, supercritical CO 2 , mechanochemical, and sonochemicalachieve near-complete mineralization and fluoride recovery, paving the way toward circular PFAS management. Integrating adsorption with regeneration and life-cycle evaluation establishes a sustainable, low-carbon paradigm that transforms PFAS remediation from single-use removal to capture-regenerate-destroy-reuse circularity.