Palladium-coated membrane captures and breaks down 99% of PFAS forever chemicals in 58-day lab test

Researchers from Arizona State University and partner institutions have developed a palladium-coated membrane that both captures PFAS and breaks their carbon-fluorine bonds. In a 58-day continuous lab test, the system removed 93% to 99% of six different PFAS compounds and reported 83% overall defluorination, meaning the chemicals were not just trapped but partly destroyed. The work was published in PNAS. The method uses hydrogen delivered through hollow polypropylene fibers coated with palladium nanoparticles. The hydrogen reacts with the PFAS at the catalyst surface, replacing fluorine with hydrogen. The study found that longer-chain PFAS broke down more easily, while short-chain compounds like PFBS and GenX were more resistant. The authors emphasize that the mechanism is a step forward, but the system is still at lab scale with a flow rate of 0.05 mL per minute and cumulative palladium loss around 10%. Practical use would likely focus on concentrated waste streams from existing PFAS separation systems, not bulk drinking water. The team notes that reducing palladium use and testing on real contaminated water are necessary next steps before the technology can move toward commercial treatment.