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. 2022 Dec 7;19(24):16397. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416397

Table 2.

Summary of the main advantages and disadvantages of the PFAS destructive technologies.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
ELECTROCHEMICAL
OXIDATION

  • Effective for long-chain PFASs.

  • Efficient for highly concentrated PFASs.

  • Effective for low-volume PFASs.

  • Low environmental impact.

  • Does not require pretreatment.

  • Widescale application.

  • Inefficient for short-chain PFASs.

  • Electrodes are expensive.

  • Reduced electrode lifetime.

  • High energy consumption.

  • Toxic by-products.

  • Forms short-chain PFAS
PLASMA

  • Effective for long-chain PFASs.

  • Effective for short-chain PFASs.

  • Low energy consumption.

  • No chemical additives are needed.

  • Short treatment time.

  • Effective for highly concentrated PFASs.

  • Effective against Co-contaminants.

  • Affects water’s pH, making it acidic.

  • Forms short-chain PFASs.

  • Its mechanism is not well understood.

  • Longer time for short-chain treatment.

  • The addition of chemicals is required.

  • Nontargeted reactions can result in longer treatment time
PHOTOCATALYSIS

  • Low energy consumption.

  • Performed at ambient temperatures.

  • Sustainable technology.

  • It can be recycled.

  • Low degradation efficiency.

  • Inefficient for sulfonic groups.

  • Toxic intermediate products.

  • Additional treatment is needed.

  • Affected by co-contaminants.
SONOLYSIS

  • Effective for long-chain PFASs.

  • Effective for short-chain PFASs.

  • Effective in soils and liquids.

  • Effective for highly concentrated PFASs.

  • Effective against co-contaminants.

  • No chemical additives are needed.

  • Does not require pretreatment.

  • Efficient for highly concentrated PFASs.

  • Widescale application.

  • High energy consumption.

  • Its mechanism is not well understood.

  • Optimization of ultrasonic and geometric parameters are needed to scaling up of technology
SUPERCRITICAL
WATER
OXIDATION

  • Effective for long-chain PFASs.

  • Effective for short-chain PFASs

  • Low environmental impact.

  • Relatively quick treatment time

  • Not economically viable for large volumes.

  • Affects water’s pH, making it acidic.

  • Corrosion of the reactor.

  • Precipitation of salts.

  • Toxic intermediate products.
THERMAL
DEGRADATION/
INCINERATION

  • Widescale application.

  • Reduced capital cost.

  • Effective for long-chain PFASs.

  • Toxic intermediate and final products.

  • High environmental impact.

  • Air and soil contamination.

  • Toxic emission.

  • Toxic by-products.