Recently, researchers at the University of Adelaide in Adelaide in South Australia, announced they had developed a photocatalytic material capable of breaking down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals,” into fluoride and other harmless components. A chemical additive was used to keep those electrons from canceling out, which allowed them to focus on breaking down PFOS molecules. Why PFAS Degradation Is DifficultPFAS degradation is so difficult to achieve because of the exceptional strength of its carbon-fluorine bond (i.e., bond dissociation energy between 400-550 kJ mol^-1). Success depends on the semiconductor’s bandgap and conduction band potential aligning with the reduction requirements of PFAS bonds. By demonstrating near-complete PFAS mineralization into fluoride, the research team proved that light-activated materials can overcome the notorious stability of C-F bonds.