A research team made a new material that uses light to break down hard-to-remove pollutants in water, including PFAS. The material is metal-free and combines two lightweight parts to make a single surface.
The scientists grew one part directly on the other by making tiny scratches so the material could stick and grow. When light hits the surface, charges move and drive the chemical reactions that clean the water.
They tested the material in vertical and horizontal flowing-water reactors, like those in real water treatment plants, and it worked well in repeated cycles.
Difficult words
- pollutant — substance that makes water or air dirtypollutants
- metal-free — without metal parts or elements
- surface — outside layer or top area of something
- charge — small electric particle that moves in materialscharges
- reactor — equipment where chemical processes happenreactors
- grow — become larger or form more materialgrew
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Discussion questions
- Would you want this material used in your local water plant? Why or why not?
- What problem does the material help solve in water?
- Why is testing in flowing-water reactors important for real plants?
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