(50c) Self-Assembly of Fluorinated Surfactants

Fluorinated surfactants find niche applications because of their high chemical and thermal stability, their compatibility with fluoropolymers, their immiscibility with both water and hydrocarbons, and their unique ability to wet surfaces and render them non-stick (Teflon-like). However, the widely used perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) surfactants are extremely resistant to degradation in the environment, bioaccumulate, and have long half-lives in humans; accordingly, PFOA and PFOS were recently phased out [EPA 505-F-14-001]. Our research addresses aqueous solution properties of fluorinated surfactants, with a focus on how such surfactants interact with (bind to) other molecules or particles/surfaces. The knowledge generated will facilitate the removal of fluorinated surfactants from the aquatic environment. The present study reports on PFOA micelle formation, structure, and interactions with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-containing polymers in aqueous solutions, probed with a variety of experimental techniques and with atomistic simulations.