Did you know that both the mineral and the tap can hide practically indestructible substances, also present in the blood of most of the population of the tap? They are the “eternal pollutants” used in everyday objects, from non -stick pots to waterproof fabrics. Now, a group of scientists from the University of Adelaide has created an innovative material which, activated by sunlight, manages to break down the pfas present in the water, transforming them into harmless components such as fluorine. The research, published in the magazine Smallopens up to less expensive purification solutions in terms of energy and potentially safer for the environment.
The project coordinator, Dr. Cameron Shearer, explains that the PFAS are known as “eternal pollutants” precisely for their resistance to degradation. This new technology could become a concrete tool to reduce their presence, improving water quality and reducing health risks.
How the material acts and because it succeeds where other systems have failed
Pfas are synthetic chemicals used in common products such as non -stick pots, waterproof tissues and fire foam. They are difficult to eliminate because they are made up of very strong ties between carbon and fluorine, which protect them from chemical degradation and make them accumulate over time both in the environment and in the human body.
In most cases, water contaminants are neutralized using reactive substances that bind to carbon atoms. In the PFAS, however, this approach does not work, because carbon is “shielded” by fluorine atoms. The Adelaide team solved the problem by changing the reaction conditions and optimizing the catalyst to directly affect these fluorine atoms.
The result was the complete destruction of the PFAS molecules. The released fluorine can be recovered and reused, for example in the production of toothpastes or as an additive for fertilizers.
The prospects for use on a large scale
Recent studies indicate that over 85% of Australians have traces of pfas in the blood. The new drinking water guidelines have lowered the safety limits to values in the order of a few nanograms per liter, making the development of effective solutions even more urgent.
The material made by researchers could be integrated into purification systems that first concentrate the PFAS and then eliminate them thanks to sunlight. The next goal of the team is to improve the catalyst stability for large -scale industrial use. This phase will be followed by Mahmoud Gharib, a colleague of Shearer at the University of Adelaide.
If the results are also confirmed outside the laboratory, this technology could become a concrete resource to improve water safety and reduce the presence of “eternal pollutants” in the environment.
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