Rice University develops copper-aluminium layered double hydroxide that removes PFAS 100 times faster than current filters

Exam-focused facts from the 27 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Rice University scientists created a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material from copper and aluminium that absorbs long-chain PFAS up to 100 times faster than granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis.
The positively charged LDH uses electrostatic attraction to bind negatively charged PFAS molecules and concentrates them for destruction without extreme heat.
Heating the captured PFAS to 400-500°C breaks carbon-fluoride bonds, yielding calcium fluoride safe for landfill disposal.
Scaling the technology faces challenges in occupational safety, regulatory compliance and real-world complexity.