- Researchers developed a reusable gel that captures PFAS “forever chemicals” from water more effectively than many existing filters.
- The material works without fluorinated compounds in the finished filter, potentially reducing additional sources of PFAS-related pollution.
- Researchers hope the work will lead to better ways of removing a wider range of PFAS from drinking water and wastewater.
A new gel-based material developed by University of Florida chemical engineers filters PFAS “forever chemicals” from water more efficiently than many widely used commercial options.
The advance offers a potential new path to filtering out PFAS, which has been linked to health effects including birth defects and some cancers. Importantly, the new material doesn’t itself use fluorine to trap PFAS, helping to reduce fluorinated chemicals in the filtration supply chain.