"The Kinetics-Structure Mismatch in PFAS Adsorption Studies" 

Tuan Le, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisors: Prof. Martinez and Prof. Youngblood

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ABSTRACT

This paper critically examines the reliance on pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), Langmuir, and Freundlich models in studies of PFAS adsorption. By integrating insights from advanced techniques such as Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and spectroscopy, my argument is that an exclusive dependence on these four models may lead to inaccurate conclusions and a misunderstanding of the underlying mechanisms of PFAS adsorption on various surfaces. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a more comprehensive approach that incorporates these structural insights to develop accurate mechanisms and reliable methodologies for describing PFAS adsorption.