Functional High-Swelling Cyclodextrin Polymer for Rapid Removal of PFAS from Water

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), characterized by the exceptional chemical stability of C-F bonds and concerning bioaccumulative potential, have become persistent contaminants that pose a global threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Although adsorption remains a technologically viable remediation approach, traditional adsorbents exhibit inherent limitations including low selectivity and removal capacity, slow adsorption kinetics, and inadequate efficiency for ultratrace PFAS removal. Here, we report a nanotechnology-enabled solution for efficient PFAS adsorption by designing a dual-functional high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer (N-F-His-CDP) adsorbent to architect a 3D molecular-scale synergistic capture network. The hierarchically mesoporous network and high specific surface area of N-F-His-CDP, combined with rapid mass transport pathways with high-density adsorption sites, enabled simultaneous rapid and high-capacity adsorption of PFAS. N-F-His-CDP exhibits excellent adsorption performance for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), reaching a 68% equilibrium adsorption capacity within 10 s and 99% PFOA removal efficiency within 1 min. The kinetic rate constant (kobs = 32.44 g·mg⁻¹·h⁻¹) is 30-fold greater than that of activated carbon. This work combines nanoporous architectures with interface engineering and establishes a sustainable clean water production paradigm for developing cost-effective and environmentally benign solutions to ensure drinking water security.