Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a novel catalyst that breaks down perchlorate at neutral pH and room temperature. Detailed in ACS Central Science, the study demonstrates that ruthenium nanoparticles enhanced with the organic compound cis-DACH can rapidly convert concentrated perchlorate into harmless chloride, matching the ambient conditions of typical drinking water treatment systems.
Rather than replacing current water treatment infrastructure, the technology is designed to solve its biggest waste management challenge. Utilities currently rely on ion-exchange resin beads to filter perchlorate out of drinking water, but the process leaves behind resin loaded with hazardous waste. By applying the new catalyst to the concentrated waste streams generated during resin cleaning, operators can destroy the perchlorate on site and safely reuse the resin beads. Crucially, the ruthenium catalyst also resists deactivation by nitrate.
The advance comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency works to establish national drinking water standards for perchlorate, joining existing state limits like California’s 6 ppb threshold. Because perchlorate interferes with thyroid function and hormone regulation, stricter federal regulations are expected to increase demand for scalable cleanup technologies.
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