Mineralization of PVDF, VDF-based Copolymers and Other Fluoropolymers Using Superheated Water in the Presence of Alkaline Reagents

Fluoropolymers are widely used in industrial equipment due to their exceptional stability against high temperatures, chemicals, ignition, UV light, and other unique properties. Among them, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF, –(CF2CH2)n–) and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and other monomers are typical dielectric fluoropolymers applied to electronic materials. Despite the growing adoption of fluoropolymers, waste treatment technologies have not kept pace with their increasing demand. Moreover, these polymers are now classified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), requiring the complete breakdown of their fluorine content into fluoride ions (F−)—a process known as mineralization—to prevent the release of environmentally harmful low molar mass PFASs. This chapter offers a brief overview of the environmental background of fluoropolymers in relation to PFAS-related issues, followed by an in-depth discussion of effective methodologies for mineralizing PVDF and other advanced fluoropolymers. These methods utilize superheated water in the presence of alkaline reagents, with the ultimate goal of enabling the recycling of fluorine element from these materials.