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Breakthrough catalyst breaks down PFAS in coatings
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a novel boron-based catalyst that degrades PFAS – so-called ‘forever chemicals’ – under mild conditions, offering a promising route to reducing environmental contamination from fluorinated substances.
A team of chemists led by Professor Matthias Wagner at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, has developed a catalyst capable of breaking the extremely stable carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds found in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These fluorinated compounds, known for their resistance to water, oil and heat, are widely used in coatings and textiles but have become a major environmental concern due to their persistence and potential health risks.
Unlike traditional degradation approaches that rely on high energy input or toxic metals such as palladium or iridium, the new system uses a metal-free catalyst composed of two boron atoms embedded in a carbon framework. The material is stable in air and moisture – a rare property for boron-based compounds – and can cleave C–F bonds within seconds at room temperature.
Event tip: PFAS
The next EC Conference on this crucial topic – PFAS – will take place on 03 – 04 December 2025 in Cologne, Germany. With an EU-wide PFAS ban expected from 2026, the coatings industry faces urgent questions: Which PFAS substances are most critical? What alternatives exist? And how can formulators prepare for upcoming regulations? This conference brings together international experts to discuss the latest material innovations, regulatory developments and challenges in reformulating PFAS-free coatings.
Topics include: PFAS materials and substance groups, substitution strategies and functional alternatives, regulatory compliance and industry impact.
From waste treatment to pharmaceutical synthesis
Doctoral researcher Christoph Buch, first author of the study, explained that the catalyst currently uses lithium as an electron source to drive the reaction, but efforts are already underway to replace this with electrical current – a step that could simplify and scale the process. This development may offer a more sustainable solution for degrading PFAS during recycling processes or in contaminated materials such as sewage sludge and textiles.
In addition to environmental remediation, the catalyst may also be applied in pharmaceutical development. As Wagner notes, many drugs contain fluorine atoms to improve their biological activity and stability. The new catalyst allows for selective defluorination, opening avenues for tailored drug design and synthesis.
Source: Goethe University Frankfurt, published 19 June 2025
