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Breaking Down Forever Chemicals: How BDD Electrodes Are Revolutionizing PFAS Treatment

  • kunyapak
  • Jul 29
  • 2 min read

Introduction


Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals," are some of the most persistent and hazardous contaminants found in industrial wastewater, landfill leachate, and even groundwater. Traditional treatment methods often fail to fully remove or destroy these compounds.


At YASA ET, we're leveraging advanced electrochemical technology using Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes to effectively break down PFAS and deliver sustainable water treatment solutions.


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What Are PFAS and Why Are They Hard to Treat?


PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, industrial processes, and more. They are extremely stable due to the strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to heat, water, and degradation. Because of this, they accumulate in the environment and pose serious risks to health and ecosystems [1].


PFAS
PFAS

The Power of BDD Electrodes BDD (Boron-Doped Diamond)


Electrodes represent one of the most advanced electrode materials in electrochemical oxidation. With a high oxygen evolution potential (≥2.5 V) and extreme chemical durability, BDD electrodes generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH) that non-selectively attack and mineralize organic pollutants, including PFAS [2][3].


Why Electro-Oxidation Works for PFAS

Electro-oxidation with BDD electrodes breaks the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS molecules, transforming them into harmless byproducts like CO2 and fluoride ions.


This approach:

  • Requires no chemical additives

  • Produces no toxic sludge

  • Operates at ambient temperature and pressure

  • Is scalable from lab to industrial use [4]


YASA ET’s EOXCell


The Ideal Tool for PFAS Lab Testing Our EOXCell test system is equipped with high-performance BDD and titanium electrodes, housed in a corrosion-resistant acrylic reactor. Designed for researchers, universities, and water treatment professionals, the EOXCell allows users to:

  • Conduct bench-scale tests for PFAS degradation

  • Evaluate electrochemical parameters

  • Compare different electrode materials [5]


YASA ET’s EOXCell


Case Studies and Research Studies show that BDD electrodes achieve high removal rates for PFAS like PFOA and PFOS. For instance, pilot systems using BDD electro-oxidation report degradation efficiencies exceeding 90% under optimized conditions [6]. Researchers have also combined BDD with UV light to further enhance the defluorination process [7].


YASA ET's Commitment to Sustainable Water Treatment

At YASA ET, our vision is clear: "Waste Is Another Resource."

Our technologies, including EOXCell and larger-scale PREDEST systems, are part of our mission to eliminate toxic compounds from industrial wastewater and help our partners achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).


Want to Test PFAS Treatment in Your Lab? EOXCell is available for global shipment and comes with:
  • Plug-and-play setup

  • Instruction manuals and demo videos

  • Full support from our technical team


Useful Links:

Conclusion BDD electro-oxidation is redefining the limits of water treatment. With EOXCell, you can be part of this revolution, conducting meaningful PFAS research and advancing clean water innovation.


References:

[1] US EPA. PFAS Explained: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained

[2] WSP. Electro-oxidation: Proven Commercial Solution for Destroying PFAS: https://www.wsp.com/en-gl/insights/electro-oxidation-proven-commercial-solution-for-destroying-pfas-in-liquid

[3] MDPI. Electrochemical Oxidation Using BDD for PFAS: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/17/2708

[4] Canadian Consulting Engineer. BDD Electrochemical System for PFAS: https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/wsp-partners-with-pro-aqua-on-wastewater-treatment-tech

[5] YASA ET. EOXCell Technical Manual, 2025

[6] Nature Scientific Reports. BDD Electrode Performance for PFAS: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07386-8

[7] Electrochemical Society. Advanced BDD Systems: https://www.electrochem.org/ecsnews/


 
 
 

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