Breakthrough carbon-based technology offers a new route for PFAS removal and on-site detection.
An international group of researchers has unveiled a new sunlight-driven catalyst designed to break down PFAS, the persistent industrial chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals.”
The team, led by the University of Bath, says the prototype material could eventually support more practical approaches to PFAS removal and environmental monitoring.
This collaboration included scientists from the University of São Paulo, the University of Edinburgh, and Swansea University.
The project was led by Professor Frank Marken of the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry and Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change.
Findings from the research are published in RSC Advances and detail how a carbon-based photocatalyst can degrade polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using light energy.
Why PFAS are so difficult to remove
PFAS are valued for their water- and stain-resistant properties, making them common in non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles, cosmetics, and firefighting foams.
Their chemical stability, however, also means they persist in soil, water systems, and living organisms.
Studies have detected PFAS in drinking water, wildlife, and human blood samples worldwide. Although the full health implications remain under investigation, some research has associated long-term exposure with elevated cancer risk and other adverse outcomes.
The difficulty of eliminating these compounds has intensified global efforts to develop scalable PFAS removal technologies.
A photocatalyst designed to break down PFAS
The research team engineered a photocatalyst based on carbon nitride combined with the rigid microporous polymer PIM-1.
The polymer component helps concentrate PFAS molecules at the catalyst’s surface, improving the efficiency of the degradation process.
When exposed to light, the catalyst triggers chemical reactions that break down PFAS into simpler substances, including carbon dioxide and fluoride.
Importantly, the process operates effectively at neutral pH levels, which more closely resemble natural conditions in rivers and groundwater.
Potential for portable PFAS detection
Beyond PFAS removal, the researchers suggest the same system could support new detection tools.
As PFAS break down, fluoride ions are released. Measuring these ions could provide a relatively simple way to indicate contamination levels.
Current PFAS analysis typically requires advanced laboratory equipment and specialised expertise, limiting testing capacity and increasing costs.
A portable sensor based on this photocatalytic approach could allow environmental monitoring outside traditional lab settings, potentially improving response times in contaminated areas.
From prototype to practical application
At present, the technology remains at the laboratory prototype stage. Further development will be required to determine whether the catalyst can be produced at scale and integrated into water treatment systems or field-based sensors.
Scaling up will also require testing across different PFAS compounds, as the chemical group includes thousands of variations with differing properties.
Nonetheless, the study adds to a growing body of research focused on breaking the strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so persistent.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies worldwide, advances that help break down PFAS more efficiently could play a key role in future environmental remediation strategies.