Fundamental Properties of Fluorinated Surfactants and their Practical Implications

Perfluorinated surfactants are unique chemicals once widely used but now considered persistent organic pollutants of international concern. This work investigates fundamental properties of perfluorinated surfactants, specifically their surface activity and aggregation behaviour in water in the presence of dissolved materials. The discoveries are used to develop a method of improving water-based remediation methods and furthering the understanding of how perfluorinated surfactants interact with cell membranes.