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 …