Breakthrough non-stick material 'better' than Teflon, safe for people

A research team at the University of Toronto (Canada) has just announced a new non-stick material that can replace Teflon, significantly reducing the use of 'permanent chemicals' PFAS that are toxic to humans.

The new invention of non-stick coating is a new step forward in the race to replace Teflon, safer for human health - Illustration photo

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that are water and grease resistant and are commonly used in non-stick pans, waterproof fabrics, food packaging and cosmetics. However, they are difficult to decompose in nature and can accumulate in the human body, raising health and environmental concerns. Many countries have now restricted or banned the use of these types of perpetual chemicals due to this risk.

According to Science Daily , a research team led by Professor Kevin Golovin has developed an advanced non-stick material, using a base of silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxane - PDMS), a substance that has been proven safe in medicine.

PDMS is naturally good at repelling water, but it is not effective against grease. To overcome this weakness, the team created a new chemical technique called “nano-feathering”. In this way, short chains of silicone molecules are bonded to the surface of the material in a form similar to microscopic brush bristles.

What’s special is that the tip of each silicone fiber is attached with an extremely short PFAS molecule, consisting of only one carbon atom and three fluorine atoms. This special structure helps the material surface repel both water and oil effectively without the need for toxic long-chain PFAS forms.

Test results show that the new material achieves level 6 oil resistance according to the standards of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorants (AATCC), on par with many common PFAS coatings on the market.

Although still using PFAS, the research team asserts that this ultra-short PFAS does not accumulate toxically like traditional forms of PFAS, thereby minimizing risks to the human body and the environment.

“We haven’t created a completely PFAS-free nonstick material yet. But this is a big step forward, bringing the industry closer to that goal,” Professor Golovin emphasized.

The research team hopes that this invention will soon be applied in the production of non-stick pans, packaging and many consumer products, opening up a more sustainable direction for non-stick material technology.

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MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dot-pha-vat-lieu-chong-dinh-xin-hon-teflon-an-toan-voi-nguoi-20250728105400627.htm