Engineers at Rice University have unveiled an innovative method for synthesizing covalent organic frameworks (COFs). This new approach could dramatically enhance the decontamination of toxic PFAS chemicals, marking a significant stride in addressing environmental pollution.
Engineers at Rice University have achieved a breakthrough that could significantly aid in the fight against environmental pollution. The team has developed a novel, cost-effective method to synthesize covalent organic frameworks (COFs), materials known for their exceptional ability to trap gases, filter water and accelerate chemical reactions.
The innovation holds substantial promise for addressing persistent environmental challenges, including the notorious “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are linked to severe health risks, such as cancer and reproductive harm, and have been notoriously difficult to break down.
Rafael Verduzco, a chemical engineer at Rice University, and his team have detailed their pioneering synthesis method in a study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Their research introduces a versatile and economical way to produce high-quality COFs using a multiflow microreactor system.
“We built a small, continuous production system ⎯ like a minifactory on a lab bench ⎯ where the ingredients for COFs are mixed and reacted in a steady stream instead of all at once in a big container,” first author Safiya Khalil, who earned a doctorate in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Rice, where she was a part of Verduzco’s lab, said in a news release.
This continuous flow synthesis method is particularly noteworthy because it produces COFs more efficiently and at lower costs while maintaining superior crystallinity. The approach enabled the creation of COFs that outperformed those made with traditional methods in breaking down perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a hazardous PFAS compound.
“This is an encouraging finding that adds to the growing evidence that COFs could emerge as a key player in the development of cleaner, more efficient technologies for contaminant removal,” Verduzco, a professor and associate chair of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Rice, said in the news release.
COFs are crystalline polymers composed of tiny, repeating units linked into spongelike structures. They are distinguished by their high porosity, large surface area and customizable molecular structure, making them suitable for various applications, from semiconductors to drug delivery systems. However, the complex, expensive and slow production process has hindered their widespread adoption.
“We hope this method will make it easier to produce COFs in large quantities and help accelerate the discovery of new formulations,” added Khalil.
Traditional COF synthesis typically involves high temperatures, pressure and toxic solvents, but the Rice team’s method uses a more sustainable approach. By producing COFs faster and with less energy, the new synthesis method could be a game-changer in environmental cleanup efforts.
“Imagine these COFs as powerful sponges with built-in ‘sunlight engines’ that can break down harmful chemicals much faster than current methods,” Khalil added. “One of the COFs we synthesized was more effective at breaking down PFOA than traditional materials such as titanium dioxide ⎯ a common photocatalyst used in pollution control.”
This research represents a promising step forward in environmental remediation. The novel COFs developed at Rice University not only hold potential for more effective PFAS decontamination but could also revolutionize various other fields requiring meticulous molecular control and efficiency.