Researchers at a Rochester Institute of Technology in New York have unveiled a novel electrochemical approach to purify water from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS, commonly called forever chemicals. The findings appear in the Journal of Catalysis.
PFAS constitute a broad class of compounds that resist degradation and can linger in the environment for extended periods. They are used across a range of products, including apparel, food packaging, firefighting foams, and more.
PFAS pose risks to ecosystems and health, with potential to accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. This accumulation has been associated with developmental issues and increased cancer risk in certain populations.
Among PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonate PFOS has drawn particular attention. Once widely used to impart stain and oil resistance, PFOS has been restricted or banned in many regions due to its environmental persistence and health concerns.
The research team developed nanocatalysts by anchoring lithium hydroxide nanoparticles to a hydrophilic, paper-like substrate. This low-cost, high-surface-area platform enables a ready-to-use catalyst to neutralize PFOS by breaking its carbon fluorine bonds, effectively removing the fluorine component from the molecule.
Experts note that this approach could be substantially cheaper than existing methods such as boron-doped diamond technologies, with cost estimates suggesting roughly a hundredfold reduction.
The researchers argue that advancing robust PFAS remediation technologies could open the door to safer reuse of these substances in industry rather than enforcing broad prohibitions. Their view is that the goal should be to develop PFAS that are biodegradable and manage their environmental footprint without compromising their practical benefits in industrial applications.
In parallel discussions, physicists have explored methods that use energetic beams to break down long-lived chemical families, offering complementary strategies for addressing persistent pollutants.