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Abstract
Excessive use of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various industrial and consumer products has resulted in contamination of the whole ecosystem. Moreover, PFAS were found to be toxic for humans, for instance insulin dysregulation, kidney disease etc. Subsequently, many PFAS chemicals were banned, and better replacements were sought. For example, 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) with six perfluorinated carbons and two hydrogenated carbons emerged as an alternative of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). However, this fluorotelomer is also being detected consistently in the environment. Furthermore, its degradation is slow and incomplete. Many degradation technologies have been developed but high capital hinders from upscaling them. Enzyme catalyzed oxidative humification reactions (ECOHRs) are a biodegradation approach with relatively less capital requirement. Degradation of 6:2 FTS was attempted in an aqueous enzyme system and aqueous fungal cultures. In both experiments, 6:2 FTS remained stable and did not show drop in initial concentration. Unusually high bond dissociation energy could be one reason while development of anaerobic conditions could be another possible reason for this resistance. Lastly, three laccase mimicking nanomaterials were compared for their enzyme activities. Additionally, enzyme activity and reaction time of a single amino acid-copper complex nanomaterial was improved after its production was modified.