CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONVERSION OF PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES INTO HIGH-VALUE BATTERY MATERIALS THROUGH COMPLETE FLUORINE REMOVAL AND FLUORINE RECOVERY

Abstract

The environmental and resource-management problems caused by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances become more difficult to handle because their carbon–fluorine bonds create strong chemical bonds. The research uses peer-reviewed articles to conduct a systematic evaluation of how to transform perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances into valuable battery materials through total fluorine extraction and recycling of fluorine within a sustainable circular system. The review used a systematic approach, which included Scopus and Web of Science database searches and established selection criteria, and combined thirty-one studies from 2005 to 2024 through qualitative and quantitative analysis. The research shows that thermochemical, catalytic, electrochemical, and hydrothermal defluorination methods succeed in removing fluorine from substances at high rates, while multiple studies achieved more than 90% mineralization when operating at their best points. Multiple research studies demonstrated that recovered inorganic fluoride reached purity levels exceeding ninety percent, which makes it suitable for transforming into battery materials, including lithium fluoride and metal fluorides. The electrochemical properties of processed carbonaceous residues from defluorination operations matched standard battery carbons because they achieved specific capacities above 300mAh/g while maintaining stable operation. The research shows that combining waste destruction with material recovery methods produces more than eighty percent less hazardous waste and decreases the need for new fluorinated materials. The research shows positive results, but scientists face three main obstacles, which include high energy consumption, limited process expansion capabilities, and insufficient methods for performing life cycle assessments. The research results demonstrate that a method that separates all fluorine atoms while extracting both fluorine and carbon compounds can convert perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances into useful materials for building sustainable battery systems.