A New Weapon Against “Forever Chemicals”: A Breakthrough that Doesn't Just Capture - But Destroys

The term “forever chemicals” has become shorthand for the family of compounds known as Per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These synthetic chemicals were invented in the 1940s for use in non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics and food packaging because of their resistance to heat, oil and water. Their very strength, however, means they do not easily break down and have been found in water, soil and even within human bodies; and linked to liver damage, immune and reproductive disorders and certain cancers.

Now, researchers at Rice University in the United States, working with South Korean partners, have developed a promising new technology that does more than just capture PFAS - it destroys them and allows the cleanup material to be reused. The findings, published in the journal Advanced Materials, may represent a meaningful step forward in dealing with one of the most stubborn environmental threats.

Traditionally, water-treatment systems rely on adsorption. Materials such as activated carbon and ion-exchange resins attract PFAS molecules and hold them. The problem is that these methods tend to be slow, have limited capacity, and generate a secondary waste stream that itself must be managed.

In contrast, the Rice team turned to a material known as a layered double hydroxide (LDH) made of copper and aluminium. The material was originally developed at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and modified at Rice. The researchers found that a formulation of this LDH containing nitrate ions could adsorb PFAS at record rates - “about 100 times faster than commercial carbon filters,” says lead researcher Youngkun Chung. In tests, the material removed large amounts of PFAS from river water, tap water and wastewater, and performed equally well in static and continuous-flow systems.

But catching the chemicals is only half the battle. The deeper advance here is that the LDH can be heated with calcium carbonate to break down more than half of the trapped PFAS, without generating harmful by-products. The system then regenerates itself and the material can be reused for multiple cycles. In preliminary experiments, six full cycles of capture, destruction and reuse were achieved.

PFAS are notoriously difficult to remove and destroy. Their carbon-fluorine bonds are among the strongest in organic chemistry and persist in the environment for many years. According to one analysis, effective treatment requires techniques such as super-critical water oxidation or plasma oxidation, but these approaches tend to be expensive and energy-intensive.

The Rice technique offers a potential win-win: fast adsorption of PFAS, thermal breakdown without toxic residuals, and reuse of the treatment material. The fact that it has been tested in multiple water types and flow conditions adds to its credibility for real-world application.

The Challenges

Despite this breakthrough, several issues remain. The thermal destruction step currently breaks down more than half of the trapped PFAS, so further improvements will be needed to reach full destruction. Scaling up from laboratory to industrial or municipal water-treatment systems will require cost-analysis, durability testing and regulatory approval. Governance and infrastructure will also play a role; research into LDH-based adsorption and destruction techniques is still emerging.

In addition, the challenge of PFAS is global. Various countries are tightening regulations on PFAS in drinking water, and industries are under pressure to reduce emissions and contamination. The need for sustainable, cost-efficient, large-scale solutions has never been greater.

A Promising Advance

This innovation at Rice University represents a promising advance for water treatment and environmental remediation - a shift from managing PFAS contamination to actively destroying it. If further developed, the technology could help cities, industries and governments address one of the most persistent chemical threats of our time.

It will not solve the PFAS crisis overnight, but it charts a path. For communities facing PFAS-contaminated water supplies, the hope is clearer: a technology that captures, destroys and regenerates, rather than simply moving the problem around.

Read also Western Australia Commemorates Oxi Day – The Day Greece Said “No”