An international research team has developed a sunlight-driven catalyst capable of breaking down persistent chemical pollutants into less harmful products, offering a new approach to tackling stubborn environmental contamination worldwide. This carbon-based photocatalyst specifically targets per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are widely used in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof materials, and cosmetics.
PFAS possess extremely high chemical stability, making them difficult to degrade naturally in the environment and prone to accumulating in water bodies, soil, and living organisms. Although their long-term health effects are not fully understood, some studies have linked certain PFAS to increased cancer risk and other health issues.
The new system combines graphitic carbon nitride with a rigid microporous polymer called PIM-1, which helps capture PFAS molecules near the catalyst's surface, utilizing light energy to drive their breakdown process. When exposed to light, the photocatalyst can convert PFAS into carbon dioxide and fluoride ions, the latter commonly found in toothpaste and far less environmentally persistent than PFAS.
The catalyst is designed to work efficiently under neutral pH conditions, making it suitable for natural water systems. The research team was led by the University of Bath and included scientists from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and Swansea University in Wales.
Dr. Fernanda C. O. L. Martins, the first author of the paper who worked on the project during her internship at the University of Bath, stated: "PFAS are used in many products, from waterproof clothing to lipstick, but they accumulate in the human body and the environment, causing toxic effects. Our project combines an easily prepared carbon-based catalyst with the PIM-1 polymer, making PFAS breakdown more efficient, especially at neutral pH, which is naturally present in the environment."
This method utilizes sunlight instead of high temperatures or harsh chemicals, potentially offering greater energy efficiency if scaled up. The technology is currently in the prototype stage. Beyond breaking down PFAS, the team believes the same principle could be used to detect these substances. Since the degradation process releases fluoride ions, the system could be adapted into a sensor that indicates PFAS presence by measuring fluoride levels.
Professor Frank Marken from the Department of Chemistry and the Institute for Sustainability and Climate Change at the University of Bath, who led the project, noted: "Currently, detecting PFAS is very difficult and requires expensive equipment in specialized laboratories. We hope this technology could be used in the future for simple, portable sensors to detect areas with high levels of PFAS in the environment outside the lab."
The researchers are seeking industrial partners to scale up and optimize the catalyst's application. If successful, this technology could provide remediation tools and low-cost monitoring solutions for communities affected by PFAS contamination. The research has been published in the journal RSC Advances.
