Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) on the Removal of Different Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Types in Wastewater

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of highly persistent carcinogenic organic pollutants owing to their strong carbon-fluorine bond (C-F) giving them high thermal and chemical stabilities. They are ubiquitous and resistant to degradation which impedes their removal from the environment, especially the water medium. The technologies deployed in conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are inefficient and hence, a new technology is required. This chapter gives insight into a number of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the removal of PFAS in water media namely the Fenton-based reaction, the ozonation and the photocatalytic process. Each AOPs theories and mechanisms are explained accordingly. In addition, the results of the past studies done on each standard AOPs and their modifications are discussed. Lastly, comparisons are made between each of the standard AOPs processes and their modified version and also comparisons of all the AOPs processes are discussed in this chapter.