Removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water has become an increasingly important environmental challenge as the impact of them on both human and environmental health has become better understood.  

These harmful contaminants are commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals,’ because once they’re in the environment or our bodies, they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. They have been used for decades in a variety of applications and persist in the environment and human body due to very strong molecular bonds that bind them together, leading to health issues linked to cancer.   

The innovative solution from the University of Bath involves 3D-printed ceramic pieces infused with indium oxide, which are designed to bond with PFAS molecules and capture them when submerged in polluted water. In initial testing, these 3D-printed ceramic pieces – which look like frozen waffles or a clump of dried instant noodles, were able to remove 53 per cent of PFAS from polluted water within three hours.  

After soaking and capturing water contaminants, the pieces can be treated through a high-temperature process to remove harmful chemicals, making them ready for reuse in another round of cleaning. Tests have surprisingly shown that these pieces become more effective with each use, with their efficiency increasing up to 75 per cent after treatment and reuse. 

Additionally, unlike traditional methods that require energy for catalysis, this process is a more efficient way of removing such chemicals from water without using lots of energy. 

“We are excited to further develop this technology and see it applied in real-world water treatment,” Dr. Liana Zoumpouli, research associate in Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering said in a statement.  

While further research and development will be required before any commercial applications of the product can proceed, these reusable 'waffle stacks’ could be an important tool in eliminating harmful chemicals from water supply, representing a promising advancement in wastewater treatment.  

View the following link to read our previous research report on the health and environmental risks of PFAS.

Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.