Catalyzing the Future: 2D/2D S-Scheme Heterojunctions for Efficient PFAS removal

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic compounds that have been widely used for decades in the EU and other parts of the world for many applications, including food packaging, electronics, and textiles. Conventional water treatment systems, as well as Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) that rely on hydroxyl radicals for pollutant degradation, have proven ineffective in removing perfluoroalkyl substances from water. This is not surprising, given that PFAS lack both C–H bonds and C–C π bonds which are the typical sites for attack by OH radicals onto organic compounds. This highlights the urgent need, as emphasized in recent review articles, for effective methods that can permanently eliminate PFAS from the environment. PFAS can be degraded in water via photocatalysis where photogenerated electrons are key active species. Developing new photocatalysts that efficiently generate reactive species, particularly electrons, and enhance interactions with PFAS molecules could lead to breakthroughs in achieving complete and cost-effective mineralization, providing a potent solution to this global environmental issue.