Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent environmental pollutants due to their strong carbon‑fluorine bonds, leading to bioaccumulation and adverse health effects. This review critically examines PFAS contamination, focusing on high-concentration sources, physicochemical properties, and classification based on synthesis routes. A comparative analysis of existing PFAS destruction technologies highlights their limitations, including incomplete mineralization, high energy demands, and secondary pollution. Plasma technology emerges as the most efficient and scalable solution, achieving nearly complete PFAS degradation under ambient conditions while minimizing harmful byproducts. However, there is a tradeoff between energy efficiency and operational cost for the plasma technology, which requires an in-depth investigation of the novel reactor design configurations and pilot-scale demonstrations. Integrating plasma with pre-concentration technologies, such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, further enhances its efficiency, making it the most viable approach for industrial-scale PFAS remediation. This review underscores the necessity of advancing plasma-based methods to establish a cost-effective, sustainable solution for PFAS destruction.