perfluorocarboxylic

Perfluorocarboxylic acids, often abbreviated as PFCAs, are a group of synthetic organofluorine compounds characterized by a perfluorinated carbon chain and a carboxyl functional group. In these molecules, all hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon backbone have been replaced by fluorine atoms. This high degree of fluorination imparts unique chemical properties, including extreme stability, hydrophobicity, and oleophobicity. The length of the carbon chain can vary, with shorter-chain PFCAs having fewer than eight carbons and longer-chain PFCAs having eight or more.

PFCAs and their salts are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications due to their surfactant properties. Historically, they have been employed in stain-repellent treatments for textiles and carpets, in firefighting foams, and as processing aids in the manufacturing of polymers like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Their persistent nature means they do not readily break down in the environment, leading to their detection in ecosystems and living organisms worldwide. Due to environmental and health concerns associated with certain longer-chain PFCAs, many regulatory bodies have implemented restrictions or phase-outs on their production and use, with a growing focus on shorter-chain alternatives. Research continues to explore their environmental fate, potential health impacts, and the development of safer substitutes.