{"id":21581,"date":"2025-04-02T19:12:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T19:12:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=21581"},"modified":"2025-04-02T19:12:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T19:12:33","slug":"new-dual-purpose-method-to-destroy-forever-chemicals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/new-dual-purpose-method-to-destroy-forever-chemicals\/","title":{"rendered":"New Dual-Purpose Method to Destroy &#8216;Forever Chemicals&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Rice University researchers have unveiled a new method to eliminate harmful PFAS chemicals from water supplies and upcycle the waste into valuable graphene, providing an efficient, cost-effective solution to a global environmental challenge.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In a new study <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s44221-025-00404-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in Nature Water, researchers at Rice University have unveiled a transformative approach to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as &#8220;forever chemicals,&#8221; which contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks. The new method not only removes PFAS from water systems but also converts waste into high-value graphene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PFAS are synthetic compounds prized for their durability and resistance to heat, water and oil. However, their stability renders them nearly non-degradable, leading to accumulation in the environment and significant health concerns, such as cancer and immune system disruptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional methods for disposing of PFAS are often expensive, energy-intensive and produce secondary pollutants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To tackle the problem, the Rice team &#8212; led by James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, and graduate student Phelecia Scotland &#8212; developed a more sustainable and cost-efficient alternative using a technique called flash joule heating (FJH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur method doesn\u2019t just destroy these hazardous chemicals; it turns waste into something of value,\u201d Tour said in a news release. \u201cBy upcycling the spent carbon into graphene, we\u2019ve created a process that\u2019s not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable, helping to offset the costs of remediation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The FJH process involves mixing granular activated carbon (GAC) saturated with PFAS with mineralizing agents like sodium or calcium salts. A high voltage is then applied, generating temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius in under a second. This extreme heat breaks the robust carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS, turning them into harmless fluoride salts, while upcycling GAC into graphene \u2014 a material with extensive applications in electronics and construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers reported a remarkable outcome: over 96% defluorination efficiency and a 99.98% removal rate for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the most common PFAS pollutants. Importantly, this method produces negligible amounts of harmful volatile organic fluorides, unlike other treatment methods, and entirely eliminates secondary waste from incineration or landfill disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis dual-purpose approach is a game changer,\u201d added Scotland. \u201cIt transforms waste into a resource while providing a scalable, cost-effective solution to an urgent environmental issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The potential applications of this innovative process extend beyond the commonly studied PFAS compounds, like PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). It is effective against even the most stubborn PFAS types, such as Teflon R. The high temperatures achieved suggest the method could degrade various PFAS compounds, setting the stage for broader applications in water treatment and waste management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the FJH technique can be adapted to produce other valuable carbon-based materials, including carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds, broadening its economic and functional appeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith its promise of zero net cost, scalability and environmental benefits, our method represents a step forward in the fight against forever chemicals,\u201d Scotland added. \u201cAs concerns over PFAS contamination continue to grow, this breakthrough offers hope for safeguarding water quality and protecting public health worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:14px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/news.rice.edu\/news\/2025\/rice-scientists-pioneer-method-tackle-forever-chemicals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Rice University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a new study published in Nature Water, researchers at Rice University have unveiled a transformative approach to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as &#8220;forever chemicals,&#8221; which contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks. The new method not only removes PFAS from water systems but also converts waste into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-21581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sustainability","tag-rice-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In a new study published in Nature Water, researchers at Rice University have unveiled a transformative approach to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as &#8220;forever chemicals,&#8221; which contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks. The new method not only removes PFAS from water systems but also converts waste into&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21581"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21677,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21581\/revisions\/21677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}