A green approach to PFAS remediation: Mechanochemical degradation with natural piezoelectric tourmaline

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) are among the most frequently detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment owing to their prevalence and high stability, raising serious concerns regarding their toxicity and long-term persistence. This study proposes a promising approach for the degradation of PFOS and PFBS using a mechanochemical degradation (MCD) technique, employing tourmaline (TM). A comprehensive suite of characterization techniques — including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction — was used to elucidate the degradation pathways and structural transformations of PFOS and PFBS. The results showed that after just 6 h of milling, PFOS and PFBS were effectively degraded by 96 % and 97 %, respectively, accompanied by significant mineralization, as evidenced by total organic carbon (TOC) reductions of 91 % for PFOS and 82 % for PFBS. Under mechanical stress, TM generates piezo-electrons and forms oxygen vacancies in its metal–oxides, both of which enhance PFAS degradation. Additionally, TM induced a significant breakdown of the C–S/C–C bonds and the immobilization of the released fluoride as stable inorganic species. These findings demonstrate the dual functionality of TM as both an electron generator and a fluoride scavenger, supporting its potential as a sustainable reagent for PFAS remediation via MCD.