Sorption and Utilization of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Rechargeable Zinc-Ion Batteries

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic fluorinated organic compounds linked to severe health issues, highlighting the urgent need for environmentally sustainable remediation strategies. Here, an integrated PFAS sorption and utilization strategy for remediation is reported through incorporating into rechargeable aqueous zinc battery systems at room temperature. As a representative PFAS compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is successfully sorbed on zinc surface via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, with over 98% removal efficiency, and partially defluorinated into zinc fluoride after 24 h, enabling their application as an anode protective layer for improved battery performance. This layer enhances electrochemical performance by suppressing dendrite growth and self-corrosion, exhibits stable long-term cycling in Zn|Zn symmetric cell under various current densities (1–10 mA cm⁻²). Additionally, Zn|sodium-treated vanadium oxide full cells show improved cycling stability, with >80% capacity retention after 2500 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹, compared to bare zinc with <40%, demonstrating prolonged and reliable performance. No detectable PFOA residual remains after battery cycling, suggesting consumption of PFOA and ensuring environmental safety. This work highlights the potential of metal-based PFAS sorption strategy, bridging the gap between sorption and utilization, offering innovative solutions to transform this persistent water contaminant into a valuable battery component.