CCR Seminar: eactive Electrochemical Membranes for PFAS Destruction: Navigating Matrix Effects in Real Waters

Abstract: Electrochemical oxidation is emerging as a promising and energy-efficient strategy for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, its effectiveness is often constrained by the complexity of real environmental matrices such as wastewater, sludge centrate, and groundwater, where co-existing species can alter oxidation pathways and reduce treatment efficiency. Recent advances in reactive electrochemical membranes (REMs), particularly those based on Magnéli phase titanium suboxides modified with electrocatalyst coatings (e.g., Bi₂O₃–SnO₂), have demonstrated superior PFAS degradation, achieving high removal rates and significant defluorination under optimized operating conditions. The performance of these systems is strongly governed by water chemistry. Inorganic ions such as phosphate, ammonium, bicarbonate, and hardness constituents contribute to electrode fouling and radical scavenging, redirecting oxidation from direct surface-mediated defluorination to sequential formation of short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, a less desirable pathway. Effective implementation in real-world treatment therefore requires targeted optimization, including careful electrolyte selection, pretreatment strategies to reduce…