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 ( k obs = 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.