Electroanalytical chemistry of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic substances which are widely used in various industrial and commercial applications. Their stability combined with their bioaccumulative nature raises concern about their toxicity around the world. Hence, the sensitive detection of PFAS in different environmental samples is an important activity. In this review, electroanalytical investigations into the detection of PFAS are discussed. Electrochemical detection approaches based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), interfacial processes, and ion-transfer events are discussed. While tremendous advances in the electroanalytical chemistry of PFAS have been achieved, further studies are critical in order to improve and establish electroanalytical approaches that enable the detection of extremely low concentrations of PFAS, the detection of individual PFAS in PFAS mixtures, and the detection of individual PFAS in a multitude of matrix conditions.