Multi-functional poly(fluorinated-aniline) nanofibrous mat for highly efficient remediation of PFAS in water through synergistic chemical and physical adsorption.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are carcinogenic and environmentally persistent contaminants, necessitating efficient removal to protect environmental and human health. Although numerous adsorbents have been fabricated, there remains strong demand for materials that are facile-to-synthesize, highly efficient, and practically viable. Here, we present a surface-localized growth strategy to functionalize electrospun nanofibers with poly(fluorinated-aniline) moieties, yielding poly (fluorinated-aniline) nanofibrous mat (PFA NFM). Unlike previous adsorbents, PFA NFM achieves dual-functionalization via a single-step reaction. This tailored synergy endows PFA NFM with high PFAS uptake capacities in both static/dynamic adsorption scenarios. Compared to the polyaniline counterpart (PA NFM), PFA NFM showcases significantly accelerated adsorption kinetics (11-52 times faster) and outstanding anti-interference performance. Its interfacially derived mesoporous structure further promotes physical adsorption and affords an exceptionally high PFAS uptake capacity. Multiple mechanisms were confirmed via FT-IR, XPS, solid-state ¹ ⁹F NMR, and DFT calculations. Notably, PFA NFM enables efficient removal of both long‑ and short‑chain PFAS across diverse environmental water matrices over a broad concentration range, indicating its applicability to both point- and non-point-source PFAS-polluted water samples. Additionally, the monolithic PFA NFM retains superior removal efficiency even after 10 regeneration cycles in multiple PFAS-spiked environmental water. Its robust recyclability and reusability render PFA NFM practically valuable.