For the first time, low trace-level removal of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), i.e., 20-500 mu g/L (ppb), from aqueous solutions using zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)-coated copper sheet (ZIF-8@Cu) composite is reported here. In comparison with different commercial activated carbon (AC) and all-silica zeolites, the composite showed the highest removal rate of 98%, which remained consistent over a wide range of concentrations. Additionally, no adsorbent leaching from the composite was noticed, which eradicated pre-analysis steps such as filtration and centrifugation, unless needed for other adsorbents studied here. The composite displayed fast uptake with saturation reaching within 4 h, irrespective of the initial concentration. However, the morphological and structural characterization revealed surface degradation of ZIF-8 crystals, along with a decline in the crystal size. The adsorption of PFOS on ZIF-8 crystals was linked to chemisorption, as the surface degradation surges with an increase in PFOS concentration or with cyclic exposure at low concentrations. Methanol seemingly removed surface debris (partially), thus providing access to ZIF-8 beneath the surface debris. Overall, the findings demonstrate that at low trace ppb-level PFOS concentrations ZIF-8 can be considered as a possible candidate for PFOS removal, even though it suffers slow surface degradation, it also removes efficiently PFOS molecules from aqueous solutions.
