New fast-acting material removes stubborn forever chemicals from water in seconds

PFAS contamination has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of the last decade. These chemicals appear in everything from non-stick pans and waterproof clothing to industrial firefighting foams. Over time, PFAS seep into rivers, lakes, and groundwater and eventually reach household taps. Studies have detected PFAS in soil, wildlife, and even human bloodstreams.

Because they do not break down easily, communities around the world are facing long-term exposure with limited solutions to remove them from drinking water. Current treatment systems often rely on activated carbon or biochar. These materials work slowly and have limited absorption capacity. In many cases, they also create secondary waste that needs separate treatment or disposal.

As demand grows for faster, scalable, and cleaner removal methods, researchers are racing to design more efficient technology. Against that backdrop, a research team has engineered a material that removes PFAS from water in seconds. The nitrate-intercalated layered double hydroxide targets perfluorooctanoic acid, one of the most common PFAS chemicals found in contaminated water sources.

The material achieved a high capture capacity of 1,702 milligrams per gram, placing it among the most effective reported so far. PFAS, often described as forever chemicals, remain persistent because they resist natural breakdown. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds make them extremely stable, which also makes them difficult to treat once they enter water systems. Communities with contaminated groundwater have struggled for years because existing solutions can be slow, expensive, or inconsistent.

PFAS challenge PFAS contamination is widespread and difficult to manage. These chemicals are common in manufacturing and consumer products, and once released, they move quickly through soil and water. Their persistence raises health concerns, including links to immune disruption, certain cancers, and developmental risks. With more testing and regulation emerging globally, the need for effective removal tools continues to grow.

Researchers developing the new material set out to address those gaps. They aimed to design a solution that works fast, removes large quantities, and remains durable. Our goal was to create a material that captures PFAS as quickly as it encounters them while remaining stable and reusable, said the study s lead author.

The researcher added that the layered structure performed better than expected. We were excited to see that this layered structure not only traps PFOA with extraordinary efficiency but also maintains its integrity during repeated regeneration cycles.

How the material works The research team created the crystalline CuAl layered double hydroxide using an optimized urea hydrolysis method. By precisely controlling pH and metal ratios, they produced a structure with weakly bonded nitrate ions. These ions exchange quickly with PFOA molecules under neutral water conditions, which enables rapid removal without chemical pretreatment. The system also worked in continuous fixed-bed setups, demonstrating potential for real-world filtration designs.

Tests with natural water samples showed consistent results, not just controlled laboratory performance. The material retained structure and performance during regeneration, a feature that many existing methods fail to offer. The team notes that the regeneration process still needs refinement, particularly in destroying fluorine residues. Without improvement, disposal and long-term waste management remain challenges.

Even with those limitations, the study marks a promising step toward scalable PFAS treatment. Researchers believe continued progress in layered materials could support safer and more accessible water infrastructure. If further developed, this material may offer communities a faster, cleaner, and more durable solution to PFAS pollution.