Light-driven interfaces for PFAS detection and destruction

Due to exposure risks and health concerns, global limitations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become increasingly restrictive over the last few years, with limitations of some legacy PFAS in drinking water reaching single digit ppt in the United States and certain European countries. As the allotted maxima for contamination have reached such low levels, broad research efforts in the degradation and detection of PFAS materials are being intensely investigated. Light driven technologies (photocatalysis and plasmonics) represent important interfacial phenomena with potential to detect and/or decompose PFAS. Despite the commonalities at the interface, little discussion merging detection and destruction exists, thereby resulting in minimal transference of concepts, experimental success, and potential dual functionality systems. This review will cover the basics of photocatalytic degradation technologies surrounding PFAS, the basics of plasmonics for PFAS detection, and a discussion on how these fields can progress in future work.