Fluorous-Core Nanoparticle-Embedded Hydrogel Synthesized via Tandem Photo-Controlled Radical Polymerization: Facilitating the Separation of Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances from Water
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Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), notably perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), contaminate many ground and surface waters and are environmentally persistent. The cost and performance limitations of current PFAS removal technologies motivate efforts to develop adsorbents with high selectivity and affinity. Recently, Chen’s group at Fudan University reported a fluorous-core nanoparticle-embedded hydrogel (FCH) synthesized by the metal-free tandem photo-controlled radical polymerization under visible-light irradiation. This FCH material exhibits outstanding adsorption performance on PFASs with different electronic characteristics including neutral, anionic, cationic and zwitterionic ones. Moreover, the adsorption performance of the FCH material is barely affected even after more than five adsorption-desorption cycles. These results demonstrate the promise of the FCH material for treating PFAS-contaminated water.
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