Functionalized bio-adsorbents for removal of perfluoroalkyl substances: A perspective

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as “forever chemicals” due to their ubiquitous persistence in the environment, and their negative human health effects. Among them, short-chain PFAS are of increasing concern due to their high solubility and mobility in water, while possessing persistency and toxicity nature like their longer-chain analogs. The most common method for PFAS removal from water is by sorption with activated carbons or ion exchange resins, but these adsorbents only exhibit limited removal efficiency against short-chain PFAS, and they require frequent replacement leading to high operational cost. Here we review and discuss the potential of using bio-adsorbents, which can be derived from common biomass feedstocks, as low-cost alternatives to traditional adsorbents, while these materials can also possess good removal efficiency against short-chain PFAS. We further provide the perspective on the designs of low-cost, activated bio-adsorbent systems that can be implemented for effective removal of short-chain PFAS.