FIU Scientists Develop Reusable Method to Trap and Release PFAS from Water

New pH-based approach offers sustainable solution to remove persistent 'forever chemicals' from drinking water supplies.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:38am

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Researchers at Florida International University have created a novel cleanup system that uses the power of pH to capture and release PFAS chemicals from water. The method employs sugar-based 'molecular traps' that can be reused, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to address the growing challenge of PFAS contamination in drinking water.

Why it matters

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment, earning them the nickname 'forever chemicals.' Current water treatment methods are often ineffective, expensive, and require treating entire water supplies. This new pH-based approach offers a more targeted and reusable solution to remove PFAS from contaminated waterways.

The details

The FIU team, led by chemistry professor Kevin O'Shea and Ph.D. candidate Rodrigo Restrepo Osorio, built on their previous work using donut-shaped sugar molecules to capture PFAS. They found that by adjusting the pH of the water, they could release the PFAS from the sugar traps, allowing the system to be reused. At neutral pH, the sugar molecules and PFAS bind together, but when the water becomes more alkaline, both take on negative charges and repel each other, freeing the PFAS chemicals.

  • The study was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances in April 2026.

The players

Kevin O'Shea

A chemistry professor at Florida International University who led the research team developing the new PFAS cleanup method.

Rodrigo Restrepo Osorio

A Ph.D. candidate in chemistry at Florida International University who collaborated with O'Shea on the project.

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What they’re saying

“Current water treatment methods are largely ineffective for PFAS remediation, costly, and/or require the treatment of the entire drinking water supply. We need a way to concentrate and remove them from our water supplies.”

— Kevin O'Shea, Chemistry Professor

What’s next

The researchers plan to further develop and test the pH-based PFAS removal system to prepare it for potential real-world applications in water treatment facilities.

The takeaway

This new pH-driven approach to capturing and releasing PFAS chemicals provides a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to address the growing problem of 'forever chemical' contamination in drinking water supplies. By harnessing the power of pH, the system can be reused, making it a promising technology in the fight against these persistent pollutants.