Work

Fluorinated Block Copolymer: An Important Sorbent Design Criteria for Effective PFOA Removal from Its Aqueous Solution

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide An important question remains unresolved, despite extensive studies on polymer-based sorbents for adsorbing poly and perfluoro alkyl substances (PFAS): How does the positioning of the fluorine-rich segment in polymer affect PFAS removal? Herein, we designed a linear, uncharged triblock copolymer incorporating a fluorinated moiety in the polymer backbone, which effectively removed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. In contrast, polymers without fluorogenic moiety or with it in the side chains showed significantly poorer PFOA removal. Our finding suggests that PFOA adsorption is more influenced by C–F ··· F–C interactions when the fluorinated segment is in the polymer backbone, not in the side chain.

Source: ACS Applied Polymer Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.4c03792

Authors: Sadifa Anjum, Michael Arik, Arya Patel, Nyalah Abasali, Laying Wu, Amrita Sarkar

Institution: Montclair State University

Language: English

Topic: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500