A team from the University of Toronto has introduced a new type of nonstick surface designed to minimize dependence on harmful chemicals traditionally used in cookware and textiles. Their innovation significantly reduces the use of human-made chemicals called PFAS, which are widely criticized for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks to humans.
Beyond Forever Chemicals: University of Toronto Researchers Develop Safer Nonstick Surface Alternative to Teflon Using Nanoscale Fletching Technique
PFAS, including polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, commonly known as Teflon, are valued for their water-repelling and oil-repelling properties. The strong carbon‑fluorine bonds that make these substances durable, however, also cause them to accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. This is why they are also called forever chemicals. Their accumulation is linked to serious health concerns such as cancers, immune disorders, and developmental problems.
The proposed alternative uses a silicone‑based polymer called polydimethylsiloxane as its base. It is recognized for its safety and biocompatibility. The problem is that this material resists water but performs poorly against oils. Researchers addressed this limitation by creating nanoscale fletching structures or bristle‑like features on the surface to both enhance oil repellency and minimize the quantity of fluorinated chemicals required in the surface coating.
Specifically, at the tip of each nanoscale bristle, the researchers bonded the shortest possible PFAS molecule—a single‑carbon chain containing three fluorine atoms. This minimalist approach provides the necessary oil‑repelling characteristics without relying on long‑chain PFAS. Note that the longer-chain PFAS are known to bioaccumulate. The combination of silicone structure and minimal PFAS tips offers an effective yet safer alternative for nonstick applications.
Laboratory tests confirmed that fabrics treated with this coating achieved a level six oil repellency rating on the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists scale. This rating matches the performance of traditional PFAS‑based coatings and indicates that safety improvements do not come at the expense of effectiveness. The research was published in Nature Communications in July 2025. Samuel Au is the first author, and Kevin Golomin is the lead researcher.
The development could have wide applications across industries and products. These include cookware, clothing, medical devices, and packaging. Nevertheless, by drastically reducing PFAS use while maintaining high performance, the innovation addresses growing environmental and regulatory pressures to phase out harmful chemicals. It also demonstrates how advanced polymer engineering can balance consumer safety with industry performance standards.
FURTHER READING AND REFERENCE
- Au, S., Gauthier, J. R., Kumral, B., Filleter, T., Mabury, S., and Golovin, K. 2025. “Nanoscale Fletching of Liquid-like Polydimethylsiloxane with Single Perfluorocarbons Enables Sustainable Oil-repellency.” Nature Communications. 16(1). DOI: 1038/s41467-025-62119-9