Innovative Technology Rapidly Targets “Forever Chemicals” to Reduce Pollution

The new technique relies on a material known as layered double hydroxide (LDH), composed of copper and aluminum, which efficiently captures long-chain PFAS compounds at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional filtration systems.

PFAS, commonly called “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breakdown, have been used in consumer and industrial applications since the 1950s for their water- and oil-repellent properties, heat resistance, and surfactant capabilities. However, these same characteristics make them persistent and hazardous environmental pollutants.

With around 15,000 types of PFAS sharing strong carbon-fluorine bonds, the compounds resist decomposition and can accumulate in humans and the environment for decades, contributing to health issues including liver and thyroid disorders and various cancers.

Current water purification systems, such as granular activated carbon and ion exchange, can remove PFAS but often require complex waste treatment and may generate toxic byproducts.

The new LDH-based method absorbs PFAS in high concentrations, allowing for their subsequent destruction without extreme heat, according to Michael Wong, director of Rice University’s Water Institute and a co-developer of the technology. Wong explained that substituting some aluminum atoms with copper imparts a positive charge to the material, enabling it to rapidly attract and capture negatively charged PFAS molecules.

“This material removes PFAS roughly 100 times faster than existing options,” Wong said. The research team noted that heating the material post-use to 400–500°C breaks the strong chemical bonds, producing a safe compound that can be disposed of without environmental harm.

While industrial-scale deployment of PFAS removal technologies still faces challenges, scientists emphasized that LDH is reusable and compatible with existing infrastructure, reducing costs and enhancing prospects for widespread application in environmental protection and water treatment.