3D-printed ceramic ink removes 75% of deadly forever chemicals from water

Researchers have created 3D-printed ceramic lattices to remove forever chemicals from water supplies.

These are harmful substances used in everything from non-stick pans to paint, fabrics, and more.

Researchers at the University of Bath have created ceramic-infused monoliths capable of effectively removing these stubborn chemicals from water.

These 3D-printed structures act like magnets for PFAS, capturing and holding onto these harmful molecules. In just a few hours, they can remove up to 75% of these contaminants from water.

“PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, are a major focus in water treatment and public health. We have created an efficient way to remove these chemicals from water without using lots of energy,” said Liana Zoumpouli, a research associate in Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering.

Indium oxide ink

Forever chemical is a term for man-made compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances break down extremely slowly, taking over a thousand years to decompose in certain instances.

PFAS have been linked to serious health problems, including reproductive issues, developmental disorders, heart disease, and increased risk of diabetes. That is why it is critical to develop strategies for removing harmful pollutants from water bodies.

In this new development, these 4cm lattice-shaped monoliths are produced by squeezing ceramic indium oxide ink through a 3D printer.

The indium oxide in the monoliths attracts and binds to PFAS, rapidly removing them from the water within three hours. The new method is said to be compatible with existing water treatment plants in the UK and elsewhere.

“Using 3D printing to create the monoliths is relatively simple, and it also means the process should be scalable. 3D printing allows us to create objects with a high surface area, which is key to the process. Once the monoliths are ready you simply drop them into the water and let them do their work. It’s very exciting and something we are keen to develop further and see in use,” said Zoumpouli.

75% removal of PFAS

The monoliths effectively removed 75% of PFAS in initial trials. Further research will focus on increasing this rate.

Surprisingly, the team noticed that the monoliths demonstrated an increase in effectiveness after undergoing repeated cycles of use and high-temperature treatment. Researchers aim to understand this phenomenon better through further experiments.

This simple, effective way could become a vital tool for cleaning up water supplies on a large scale. Moreover, it can be easily integrated into existing water treatment plants.

As per the press release, the US and EU have imposed certain PFAS limitations, but more extensive laws are planned as health risks become more obvious.

“Currently, these chemicals are not strongly regulated in the UK in drinking water, but there are guidelines, and we expect changes in policy quite soon. Water companies are likely to be looking at integrating systems to deal with them,” concluded Davide Mattia, the study’s co-author.

The findings were published in The Chemical Engineering Journal .