Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are characterized by a chain of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms. The carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond is one of the strongest single bonds in organic chemistry, with a bond dissociation energy around 485 kJ/mol. This extreme strength makes PFAS highly resistant to chemical, thermal, and biological degradation, leading to their environmental persistence.
The exceptional stability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is fundamentally rooted in the properties of the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond. Fluorine is the most electronegative element, creating a highly polarized bond with carbon. This results in a short bond length (around 1.35 Å) and a very high bond dissociation energy, making it extremely difficult to break. In perfluoroalkyl substances, where all non-terminal carbons are fully saturated with fluorine atoms, this effect is amplified. The fluorine atoms create a helical sheath around the carbon backbone, sterically protecting it from chemical attack. This ‘fluorine shield’ also repels both water (hydrophobicity) and oils (oleophobicity), a rare combination that makes PFAS effective surfactants. The cumulative inductive effect of multiple fluorine atoms also strengthens adjacent C-C bonds within the chain, further contributing to the molecule’s overall inertness. This chemical robustness is why PFAS are dubbed “forever chemicals”; they do not readily break down under natural environmental conditions, leading to their widespread accumulation.
DISPONIBLE PARA NUEVOS RETOS
Ingeniero Mecánico, Gerente de Proyectos, Ingeniería de Procesos o I+D
Disponible para un nuevo desafío a corto plazo.
Contáctame en LinkedIn
Integración de electrónica de metal y plástico, diseño a coste, GMP, ergonomía, dispositivos y consumibles de volumen medio a alto, fabricación eficiente, industrias reguladas, CE y FDA, CAD, Solidworks, cinturón negro Lean Sigma, ISO 13485 médico
Estamos buscando un nuevo patrocinador
¿Su empresa o institución se dedica a la técnica, la ciencia o la investigación?
> Envíanos un mensaje <
Recibe todos los artículos nuevos
Gratuito, sin spam, correo electrónico no distribuido ni revendido.
o puedes obtener tu membresía completa -gratis- para acceder a todo el contenido restringido >aquí<
(si se desconoce la fecha o no es relevante, por ejemplo "mecánica de fluidos", se ofrece una estimación redondeada de su notable aparición)
Invención, innovación y principios técnicos relacionados
{{title}}
{% if excerpt %}{{ excerpt | truncatewords: 55 }}
{% endif %}
