For decades, fluorinated materials such as Teflon and other perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been indispensable in sectors such as the chemical, textile and electronic industries, due to their resistance to heat, friction and chemicals. However, the same stability that made them so useful also poses a long-term environmental threat. These so-called “forever chemicals” are almost impossible to degrade and can now be found in water, soil and living organisms across the planet.

A research group led by Taichi Araki and Norio Shibata from Nagoya University (Japan) has succeeded in breaking the carbon–fluorine bonds — the strongest in organic chemistry — at room temperature, using a simple and efficient process that does not require extreme conditions. The study also involved Jorge Escorihuela, senior lecturer in the Department of Organic Chemistry and researcher at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia.

The method is based on a dispersion of metallic sodium, a reagent that, upon contact with fluorinated polymers, triggers complete defluorination and transforms the fluorine within the materials into sodium fluoride (NaF), a stable and recyclable compound. The process requires no additional heat or special equipment and allows for the recovery of up to 97% of the fluorine in the form of NaF.

The team demonstrated the effectiveness of this method not only with Teflon (PTFE) but also with common PFAS molecules — PFOA, PFNA, PFBS and TFA — known for their environmental persistence.

The simplicity of the procedure — which can even be carried out at room temperature — opens the door to new industrial and environmental strategies for the treatment of fluorinated waste. According to the authors, the technique could be applied to the management of plastic waste as well as to the decontamination of soils and waters affected by PFAS. “This finding shows that efficient defluorination can be achieved without extreme conditions. It represents an important step towards more sustainable chemistry”, notes Norio Shibata.

“In recent years, various scientific studies have shown significant progress in the field of fluoropolymer destruction”, adds Jorge Escorihuela. “This work provides a valuable contribution thanks to its simplicity and supports the circular economy of fluorine, opening new avenues for the recovery of this key element in the chemical industry”, concludes the UV scientist.

Reference

Room-temperature defluorination of PTFE and PFAS via sodium dispersion. Araki, T., Ota, H., Murata, Y., Sumii, Y., Hamaura, J., Adachi, H., Kagawa, T., Hori, H., Escorihuela, J. & Shibata, N. (2025). Nature Communications, 16, Article 6526.