Decomposition of Environmentally Persistent Perfluorooctanoic Acid in Water by Photochemical Approaches
- 9 October 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology
- Vol. 38 (22), 6118-6124
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es049719n
Abstract
The decomposition of persistent and bioaccumulative perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water by UV−visible light irradiation, by H2O2 with UV−visible light irradiation, and by a tungstic heteropolyacid photocatalyst was examined to develop a technique to counteract stationary sources of PFOA. Direct photolysis proceeded slowly to produce CO2, F-, and short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids. Compared to the direct photolysis, H2O2 was less effective in PFOA decomposition. On the other hand, the heteropolyacid photocatalyst led to efficient PFOA decomposition and the production of F- ions and CO2. The photocatalyst also suppressed the accumulation of short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids in the reaction solution. PFOA in the concentrations of 0.34−3.35 mM, typical of those in wastewaters after an emulsifying process in fluoropolymer manufacture, was completely decomposed by the catalyst within 24 h of irradiation from a 200-W xenon−mercury lamp, with no accompanying catalyst degradation, permitting the catalyst to be reused in consecutive runs. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) measurements showed no trace of environmentally undesirable species such as CF4, which has a very high global-warming potential. When the (initial PFOA)/(initial catalyst) molar ratio was 10:1, the turnover number for PFOA decomposition reached 4.33 over 24 h of irradiation.This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- An Occupational Exposure Assessment of a Perfluorooctanesulfonyl Fluoride Production Site: BiomonitoringAihaj Journal, 2003
- Fluorinated Alkyl SurfactantsEnvironmental Engineering Science, 2003
- Bioconcentration and tissue distribution of perfluorinated acids in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2003
- Ecological impact and environmental fate of perfluorooctane sulfonate on the zooplankton community in indoor microcosmsEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2002
- Peer Reviewed: Perfluorochemical Surfactants in the EnvironmentPublished by American Chemical Society (ACS) ,2002
- Photocatalysis of H3PW12O40 for 4-Chlorophenol Decomposition in Aqueous MediaBulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, 1996
- Decomposition of chlorophenols in aqueous solution by UV/H2O2processToxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 1996
- Rate constants for some reactions of free radicals with haloacetates in aqueous solutionInternational Journal of Chemical Kinetics, 1995
- Photochemical processes for water treatmentChemical Reviews, 1993
- Electron beam irradiation of poly(perfluoro ethers): identification of gaseous products as a result of main chain scissionThe Journal of Physical Chemistry, 1991