Silicate-Enabled Mechanochemical Mineralization of Polymeric and Nonpolymeric PFAS into Sodium Fluoride

Journal article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants, some associated with detrimental impacts on human health upon chronic exposure. Many processes have been reported to destroy PFAS, although high-temperature thermal methods such as incineration or pyrolysis are still the most commonly used for bulk waste. Herein, we report a highly effective mechanochemical process designed to destroy polymeric and nonpolymeric PFAS with recovery of fluorine as NaF, a salt endorsed by international organizations for public oral health. The process consists of ball milling PFAS with commercially available sodium silicate, an inexpensive and easy-to-handle reagent found to be superior to sodium phosphate or carbonate. This approach represents a promising step toward remediating the global PFAS crisis with a circular fluorine economy in mind.

Authors: Yang, L; Layton, CL; Goult, CA; Chen, Z; Paton, RS

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
• Volume: 148
• Issue: 17
• Pages: 17977-17982
• Publication date: 2026-04-20
• Acceptance date: 2026-04-15
• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c01470
• EISSN: 1520-5126
• ISSN: 0002-7863
• Language: English
• Keywords: Mineralization (soil science); Sodium fluoride; Fluoride; Sodium