Breakthrough MOF Material Efficiently Detects and Removes 'Forever Chemicals' from Water

MOF material removing forever chemicals

In a significant leap for environmental remediation, scientists at the University of Utah have developed a novel metal–organic framework (MOF) material that excels at removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—one of the most notorious and persistent "forever chemicals"—from contaminated water sources. Published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C, the breakthrough showcases how advanced materials engineering can tackle urgent ecological crises with both efficiency and elegance.

Forever Chemicals: A Persistent Threat

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and in particular PFOA, are widely used synthetic chemicals found in products like firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and water-repellent fabrics. These compounds are resistant to degradation and accumulate in water supplies, presenting growing health and environmental hazards worldwide.

The new MOF, known as UiO-66-N(CH3)3+, is a zirconium-based structure designed to both detect and eliminate PFOA from water. The material lights up with fluorescence when it binds to PFOA, offering real-time detection while simultaneously capturing the pollutant through high-capacity adsorption.

Engineering a Dual-Function Material

The research team, led by Professor Ling Zang, built this MOF by modifying an existing framework—UiO-66-NH2—with quaternary ammonium groups. These positively charged sites create strong electrostatic attractions with negatively charged PFOA molecules. As a result, the adsorption capacity improved by a remarkable 3.4-fold over the unmodified parent material.

Furthermore, the MOF is equipped with fluorescent tags that activate upon binding with PFOA. This built-in sensor enables real-time, on-site detection, providing an accessible alternative to traditional lab-based monitoring systems.

Key Advantages of the UiO-66-N(CH3)3+ MOF

  • Record-High Adsorption: Achieves a maximum uptake of 1178 mg/g, outperforming traditional materials like activated carbon.
  • Ultra-Fast Efficiency: Removes nearly 100% of PFOA within just 5 minutes from water containing 50 ppb of the contaminant.
  • Selective and Robust: Maintains effectiveness in real-world conditions, including salt interference and mixed PFAS presence.
  • Reusability: Retains over 93% performance after five cycles of regeneration via simple washing.
  • Integrated Fluorescence Sensor: Enables IDA-based real-time detection for field monitoring applications.

Implications for Environmental Policy and Industry

This innovation aligns with global efforts to address PFAS contamination, which has been prioritized by environmental agencies due to the chemicals' toxicity and resistance to degradation. The combination of detection and remediation in a single material platform offers significant cost, time, and resource savings for industrial water treatment and municipal utilities alike.

Lead author Rana Dalapati emphasized the material's scalability and practicality: "Its ability to both selectively capture and sensitively detect PFOA in real time makes it a versatile and practical solution for water treatment and environmental monitoring."

Read the full original article on Phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2025-07-material-efficiently-chemicals.html

Reference:

  • Rana Dalapati et al., "Dual-functional metal–organic framework for efficient removal and fluorescent detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water," Journal of Materials Chemistry C (2025). DOI: 10.1039/D5TC01765C

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#MOF #ForeverChemicals #PFAS #PFOA #WaterPurification #FluorescentSensor #EnvironmentalRemediation #MaterialsScience #QuantumServerNetworks #PWmat

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