Fluorinated surfactants, abbreviated as FS, are surfactants with fluorocarbon chains as non-polar groups, which partially or completely replace hydrogen atoms on the carbon hydrogen chain with fluorine atoms. Fluorocarbon surfactants have high surface activity, high thermodynamic and chemical stability. Applied in various fields such as fire protection, chemical industry, pesticides, mineral processing, papermaking, leather, textile, etc.

The commonly used PFOS and PFOA are the most effective fluorinated surfactants with comprehensive effects, and therefore have been widely used in many fields. However, extensive research has confirmed that these two substances are currently one of the most difficult organic pollutants to degrade in the world, with persistent environmental stability, high bioaccumulation, and strong environmental migration ability. The United Nations has listed them as POPs and banned them.

From the current alternatives, it is our important task to accelerate the development of new low toxicity or non-toxic durable alternatives that are environmentally friendly, ecologically harmless, and safe for human health.