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Visible light-powered catalysts clean up 'forever chemicals'

The article from Chemistry World discusses a breakthrough in environmental chemistry where researchers have developed a new catalyst capable of breaking down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. This innovative catalyst uses visible light to activate the degradation process, specifically targeting the strong carbon–fluorine bonds in PFAS. The catalyst, which includes a titanium dioxide base doped with phosphorus and nitrogen, was found to be effective in degrading various PFAS compounds, including PFOA and GenX chemicals, into less harmful substances. This method not only promises a more sustainable approach to PFAS remediation but also operates under mild conditions, potentially reducing the energy costs and environmental impact associated with traditional PFAS treatment methods. The research, led by a team from the University of California, Riverside, suggests that this could be a scalable solution for cleaning up PFAS contamination in water supplies.

Read the Full Chemistry World Article at [ https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/visible-light-powered-catalysts-clean-up-forever-chemicals/4020576.article ]