{"id":480772,"date":"2026-10-20T09:51:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=480772"},"modified":"2026-10-20T09:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:52:18","slug":"hunter-killer-membrane-destroys-forever-chemicals-with-over-90-efficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=480772","title":{"rendered":"Hunter-Killer Membrane Destroys Forever Chemicals with Over 90% Efficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"485\" data-attachment-id=\"480773\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=480773\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1168,784\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;abdc08c6-30d7-4497-95a6-ab65c1eb6594&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Signature: 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&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0 Hunter-Killer Membrane Destroys Forever Chemicals with Over 90% Efficiency\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Signature: 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&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?fit=723%2C485&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency-1024x687.jpg?resize=723%2C485&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Diagram illustrating the Hunter-Killer Membrane technology, showcasing its ability to destroy PFAS chemicals with over 90% efficiency using palladium nanoparticles and hollow-fiber membranes.\" class=\"wp-image-480773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?resize=1024%2C687&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?resize=768%2C516&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?resize=640%2C430&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Hunter-Killer-Membrane-Destroys-Forever-Chemicals-with-Over-90-Efficiency.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AI generated by Grok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Researchers at <em>Arizona State University<\/em> (led by Bruce Rittmann of the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology), with collaborators from <em>Rice University, Tongji University<\/em>, the <em>National University of Singapore<\/em>, and <em>Nanjing University<\/em>, developed a catalytic<em> \u201chunter- killer\u201d <\/em>membrane that both captures and chemically destroys <em>PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d)<\/em> rather than just concentrating them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PFAS are synthetic compounds used in nonstick coatings, waterproof fabrics, firefighting foams, and many other products. Their extreme persistence comes from very strong carbon- fluorine bonds (often called the strongest in organic chemistry), which shield the carbon backbone and resist breakdown by conventional biological or chemical processes. Standard treatments (activated carbon, ion exchange, membrane filtration) remove them from water but leave concentrated waste that still needs disposal or destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How the technology works<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hollow- fiber membranes are coated on the outside with palladium nanoparticles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pressurized hydrogen gas is fed through the interior of the fibers and diffuses outward to the palladium catalyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The palladium splits H\u2082 into highly reactive hydrogen atoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PFAS molecules from the surrounding water adsorb onto the same palladium surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the catalyst surface, the reactive hydrogen attacks and breaks the<strong> C- F bonds (hydrodefluorination)<\/strong>, stripping fluorine and converting the persistent molecules into less harmful components.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This<strong> \u201cinside- out\u201d hydrogen<\/strong> delivery is a key design feature: the membrane both concentrates the pollutants at the reactive surface and supplies the activated hydrogen needed to dismantle them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Performance results<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a continuous 58- day laboratory test treating a mixture of six regulated- priority PFAS compounds, the system removed <strong>more than 90%<\/strong> of each compound and stripped away about 83% of the total fluorine, confirming actual chemical destruction rather than simple filtration. Rittmann described the mechanism as essentially universal across the six compounds tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Practical considerations and next steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Palladium is expensive<\/strong> (roughly <strong>$50,000 per kilogram<\/strong>), so reducing catalyst loading is a major research priority. The approach is envisioned as a complement to existing concentration methods: conventional filtration would first shrink large volumes of contaminated water into a smaller waste stream that the catalytic membrane then destroys. Hybrid systems pairing the <strong>palladium catalyst <\/strong>with pollutant- degrading bacteria are also under development.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurasiareview.com\/19102026-new-hunter-killer-chemistry-captures-and-destroys-forever-chemicals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This builds on earlier ASU work with <strong>membrane biofilm reactors (MBfR)<\/strong> and <strong>membrane catalyst- film reactors (MCfR)<\/strong> that combine catalytic defluorination with microbial degradation. While further engineering is needed for full- scale water treatment, the results demonstrate a promising route to permanently break down these persistent pollutants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"407\" data-attachment-id=\"480785\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=480785\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?fit=723%2C407&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=723%2C407&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A digital illustration showing a molecular structure interacting with a membrane, featuring clusters of atoms and various colored molecules above the surface.\" class=\"wp-image-480785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?resize=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-138.png?w=1446&amp;ssl=1 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A palladium-coated membrane uses hydrogen to help break down PFAS &#8220;forever chemicals.&#8221; Credit: Jason Drees<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The membrane technology developed by Arizona State University researchers (led by Bruce Rittmann) and international collaborators is a catalytic hollow- fiber membrane system designed to both capture and chemically destroy PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Core design<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hollow- fiber membranes:<\/strong> Tiny tubular (\u201cstraw-like\u201d) gas- transfer membranes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Palladium nanoparticle coating:<\/strong> A thin layer of palladium nanoparticles is deposited on the <em>outside<\/em> of the fibers. Palladium acts as a catalyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hydrogen delivery:<\/strong> Pressurized hydrogen gas (H\u2082) is fed through the <em>inside<\/em> of the hollow fibers. It diffuses outward through the membrane wall to the palladium layer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How it works (\u201chunter- killer\u201d mechanism)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hydrogen reaches the palladium surface and is split into highly reactive atomic hydrogen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PFAS molecules in the surrounding water adsorb onto the same palladium surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the catalyst surface the reactive hydrogen attacks the strong carbon- fluorine bonds (hydrodefluorination), stripping fluorine atoms from the PFAS molecules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This breaks the \u201cforever\u201d chemical structure, converting the compounds into less persistent (and ultimately more biodegradable) products.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inside- out hydrogen supply is a key innovation: the membrane simultaneously concentrates the pollutants at the reactive surface and delivers the activated hydrogen needed to destroy them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a continuous 58- day laboratory trial treating a mixture of six regulated- priority PFAS compounds, the system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Removed &gt;90% of each individual PFAS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stripped ~83% of the total fluorine (confirming actual chemical destruction rather than mere capture).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Context and next steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This builds on earlier ASU membrane technologies (Membrane Biofilm Reactor- MBfR and Membrane Catalyst- film Reactor-  MCfR). Hybrid versions that combine the palladium catalyst with pollutant-degrading bacteria are also under development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main practical hurdle:<\/strong> Palladium is <strong>expensive (~$50,000\/kg)<\/strong>, so reducing catalyst loading is a priority. The technology is expected to work best as a polishing\/destruction step after conventional concentration methods (e.g., activated carbon or ion exchange) have first reduced the volume of contaminated water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The research was published in the <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/em> in October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Catalytic reactive-hydrogen membranes for rapid capture and hydrodefluorination of six PFAS of regulatory concern<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This peer- reviewed paper reports the development and continuous testing of a hydrogen- based Membrane Catalyst -film Reactor (MCfR) for simultaneous capture and destruction of PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It reports the development and continuous testing of a <strong>hydrogen- based Membrane Catalyst- film Reactor (MCfR)<\/strong> for simultaneous capture and destruction of PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Key elements of the paper (from published summaries)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lead institution &amp; author:<\/strong> Arizona State University\u2019s Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology; senior\/corresponding author Bruce E. Rittmann.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collaborators:<\/strong> Researchers from Rice University (Texas), Tongji University (China), National University of Singapore, and Nanjing University (China).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology:<\/strong> Hollow- fiber gas- transfer membranes coated on the exterior with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles. Hydrogen gas is supplied from the lumen (inside) of the fibers, diffuses outward, and is activated on the Pd surface. PFAS molecules adsorb to the same surface, enabling catalytic hydrodefluorination (breaking of strong C- F bonds by reactive hydrogen).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Results:<\/strong> In a continuous 58- day operation treating a mixture of six regulatory-priority PFAS compounds, the system achieved &gt;90% removal of each compound and ~83% overall fluorine removal (defluorination), confirming chemical destruction rather than simple separation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance: <\/strong>Demonstrates a<strong> \u201cuniversal\u201d catalytic mechanism<\/strong> effective across the tested PFAS. The approach is positioned to treat concentrated waste streams after conventional separation processes. Palladium cost and catalyst loading reduction are noted as practical challenges; hybrid Pd\u2013microbial systems are also referenced as ongoing work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This builds on the group\u2019s earlier Membrane Catalyst- film Reactor (MCfR) platform for catalytic reduction of oxidized contaminants using efficient H\u2082 delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Direct full- text access may require institutional login or purchase via the PNAS site, as the open-page retrieval was restricted. The news coverage from ASU- affiliated and science outlets (e.g., Eurasia Review, Interesting Engineering, Bioengineer.org) provides consistent, detailed summaries of the findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Journal:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/journals\/proceedings-of-the-national-academy-of-sciences\/\">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DOI:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2613985123\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10.1073\/pnas.2613985123<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Provided:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/partners\/arizona-state-university\/\">Arizona State University<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Authors:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2613985123#con1\">Min Long<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5328-7787, Ai-Shi Wang\">, Ai-Shi Wang<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-6742-4241, Welman C. Elias,\">h, Welman C. Elias,<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2613985123#con5\">Thomas P. Senftle<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5889-5009, Michael S. Wong\">, Michael S. Wong<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2613985123#con7\">Jie Cheng<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2613985123#con8\">Bruce E. Rittmann<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Abstract<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) persist in aquatic environments due to their ultrastable C\u2013F bonds and poor susceptibility to conventional treatment. Here, we report an H<sub>2<\/sub>-based catalytic-film membrane that enables PFAS destruction in ambient conditions by generating highly reactive surface (H<sub>ads<\/sub><sup>*<\/sup>) and subsurface hydrogen (H<sub>sub<\/sub><sup>*<\/sup>), the latter stored as \u03b2-phase palladium hydride (\u03b2-PdHx). Solid-state analyses evidenced \u03b2-PdHx formation and related lattice expansion with elevated H<sub>2<\/sub> chemical potential, revealing a structural mechanism that links hydrogen storage to catalytic defluorination. Mechanistically, the two hydrogen species play complementary roles: H<sub>ads<\/sub><sup>*<\/sup>-rich Pd<sup>0<\/sup> surface enabled PFAS capture through parallel adsorption to maximize interfacial contact with active H, whereas sustained H<sub>sub<\/sub><sup>*<\/sup> supplied the energetic driving force for stepwise hydrodefluorination consistent with sequential C\u2013F scission. As a result, across six PFAS of regulatory concern\u2014PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX\u2014the catalytic membrane converted all contaminants toward fully defluorinated products. Long-chain PFAS were removed and defluorinated more rapidly than short-chain analogs, while GenX showed greater recalcitrance due to its ether linkage, weaker adsorption, and higher average C\u2013F bond dissociation energy; nonetheless, GenX still exhibited removal and defluorination, with the production of 2-propoxypropanoic acid. The system also enabled continuous coremoval of all six PFAS in ambient conditions, with up to 96% removal and 83% defluorination over 58 d. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for how active hydrogen is generated, stored, and deployed in catalytic membranes, and identify engineered H<sub>2<\/sub>-catalytic membranes as a promising low-energy technology for destructive PFAS treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Researchers at Arizona State University (led by Bruce Rittmann of the Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology), with collaborators from Rice University, Tongji University, the National University of Singapore, and Nanjing University, developed a catalytic \u201chunter- killer\u201d membrane that both captures and chemically destroys PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d) rather than just concentrating them.<\/p>\n<p>The membrane technology developed by Arizona State University researchers (led by Bruce Rittmann) and international collaborators is a catalytic hollow-fiber membrane system designed to both capture and chemically destroy PFAS (\u201cforever chemicals\u201d).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":480773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"Discover how Arizona State University\u2019s innovative membrane technology is effectively destroying PFAS 'forever chemicals' with over 90% efficiency.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Innovative Membrane Technology Destroys PFAS Chemicals 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