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Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals

Vibhas Chugh, Paul Gaskin, Waye Zhang Orcid Logo

Sensors & Diagnostics, Volume: 5, Issue: 3, Pages: 305 - 325

Swansea University Author: Waye Zhang Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1039/d5sd00166h

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now regulated at ultra-trace levels in drinking water, with guideline values in the low ng L−1 (ppt) range in many jurisdictions, demanding highly sensitive, robust, and cost-effective monitoring tools. Regulatory drivers increasingly emphasize not only...

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Published in: Sensors & Diagnostics
ISSN: 2635-0998
Published: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2026
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa72068
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Regulatory drivers increasingly emphasize not only detection of legacy PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA, but also broader chemical coverage, routine compliance monitoring, and rapid screening at the point of use. This review critically surveys PFAS sensor technologies developed over the last decade, encompassing optical (colorimetric, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance), electrochemical (voltammetric, impedimetric, and potentiometric), and emerging biosensing and whole-cell reporter platforms. For each sensor class, typical limits of detection (from low ppb down to sub-ppt in optimized systems), dynamic ranges, regeneration, and compatibility with repeated measurements in real and complex water matrices are summarized. The underlying recognition and transduction principles—including molecularly imprinted polymers, host–guest interactions, ion-selective membranes, nanomaterial-enhanced interfaces, and biological recognition elements—are highlighted to connect materials design with analytical performance. Across these platforms, key advantages include miniaturization, rapid response, and potential integration into portable or on-line monitoring systems, whereas major limitations involve selectivity among structurally similar PFAS, matrix interferences, long-term stability, and limited multi-analyte capability. 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spelling v2 72068 2026-06-12 Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals 3ddabbb54b2cfa2ea10f590ea7da6520 0000-0003-3129-2918 Waye Zhang Waye Zhang true false 2026-06-12 EAAS Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now regulated at ultra-trace levels in drinking water, with guideline values in the low ng L−1 (ppt) range in many jurisdictions, demanding highly sensitive, robust, and cost-effective monitoring tools. Regulatory drivers increasingly emphasize not only detection of legacy PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA, but also broader chemical coverage, routine compliance monitoring, and rapid screening at the point of use. This review critically surveys PFAS sensor technologies developed over the last decade, encompassing optical (colorimetric, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance), electrochemical (voltammetric, impedimetric, and potentiometric), and emerging biosensing and whole-cell reporter platforms. For each sensor class, typical limits of detection (from low ppb down to sub-ppt in optimized systems), dynamic ranges, regeneration, and compatibility with repeated measurements in real and complex water matrices are summarized. The underlying recognition and transduction principles—including molecularly imprinted polymers, host–guest interactions, ion-selective membranes, nanomaterial-enhanced interfaces, and biological recognition elements—are highlighted to connect materials design with analytical performance. Across these platforms, key advantages include miniaturization, rapid response, and potential integration into portable or on-line monitoring systems, whereas major limitations involve selectivity among structurally similar PFAS, matrix interferences, long-term stability, and limited multi-analyte capability. This review discusses how current research addresses these challenges through preconcentration strategies, sensor arrays, nanostructured materials, and integrated sample handling, and outlines future directions toward regulatory-grade, field-deployable PFAS sensors capable of continuous monitoring, multiplex detection, and scalable deployment in drinking water and environmental surveillance. Journal Article Sensors & Diagnostics 5 3 305 325 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 2635-0998 22 1 2026 2026-01-22 10.1039/d5sd00166h COLLEGE NANME Engineering and Applied Sciences School COLLEGE CODE EAAS Swansea University External research funder(s) paid the OA fee (includes OA grants disbursed by the Library) Authors would like to express their gratitude to for EPSRC International Doctoral Scholars – IDS grant NCZ1080-EP/W524694/1-2323187 and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water providing an PhD scholarship to Mr. Vibhas Chugh and an EPSRC IAA grant (RIR1046-171). 2026-06-12T10:44:59.8740993 2026-06-12T10:27:09.3170453 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Chemical Engineering Vibhas Chugh 1 Paul Gaskin 2 Waye Zhang 0000-0003-3129-2918 3 72068__36951__79572af813e0455ab8c5d66e55c73671.pdf 72068.VoR.pdf 2026-06-12T10:36:07.4640348 Output 2053060 application/pdf Version of Record true This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
title Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
spellingShingle Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
Waye Zhang
title_short Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
title_full Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
title_fullStr Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
title_full_unstemmed Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
title_sort Recent progress in current and emerging techniques for the detection of PFAS – the forever chemicals
author_id_str_mv 3ddabbb54b2cfa2ea10f590ea7da6520
author_id_fullname_str_mv 3ddabbb54b2cfa2ea10f590ea7da6520_***_Waye Zhang
author Waye Zhang
author2 Vibhas Chugh
Paul Gaskin
Waye Zhang
format Journal article
container_title Sensors & Diagnostics
container_volume 5
container_issue 3
container_start_page 305
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 2635-0998
doi_str_mv 10.1039/d5sd00166h
publisher Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
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department_str School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Chemical Engineering{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Engineering and Applied Sciences - Chemical Engineering
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description Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now regulated at ultra-trace levels in drinking water, with guideline values in the low ng L−1 (ppt) range in many jurisdictions, demanding highly sensitive, robust, and cost-effective monitoring tools. Regulatory drivers increasingly emphasize not only detection of legacy PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA, but also broader chemical coverage, routine compliance monitoring, and rapid screening at the point of use. This review critically surveys PFAS sensor technologies developed over the last decade, encompassing optical (colorimetric, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance), electrochemical (voltammetric, impedimetric, and potentiometric), and emerging biosensing and whole-cell reporter platforms. For each sensor class, typical limits of detection (from low ppb down to sub-ppt in optimized systems), dynamic ranges, regeneration, and compatibility with repeated measurements in real and complex water matrices are summarized. The underlying recognition and transduction principles—including molecularly imprinted polymers, host–guest interactions, ion-selective membranes, nanomaterial-enhanced interfaces, and biological recognition elements—are highlighted to connect materials design with analytical performance. Across these platforms, key advantages include miniaturization, rapid response, and potential integration into portable or on-line monitoring systems, whereas major limitations involve selectivity among structurally similar PFAS, matrix interferences, long-term stability, and limited multi-analyte capability. This review discusses how current research addresses these challenges through preconcentration strategies, sensor arrays, nanostructured materials, and integrated sample handling, and outlines future directions toward regulatory-grade, field-deployable PFAS sensors capable of continuous monitoring, multiplex detection, and scalable deployment in drinking water and environmental surveillance.
published_date 2026-01-22T10:45:02Z
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