Photooxidative decomposition and defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) using an innovative technology of UV-vis/ZnxCu1-xFe2O4/oxalic acid

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of perfluorinated organic molecules that have been in use since the 1940s for industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. PFAS are a growing concern because some of them have shown persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic effects. Herein, we demonstrate an innovative technology of UV-vis/ZnxCu1-xFe2O4/oxalic acid for the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water. The magnetically retrievable nanocrystalline hetero- geneous ferrite catalysts, ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 were synthesized using a sol-gel auto-combustion process followed by calcination at 400 degrees C. The combination of ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 and oxalic acid generate reactive species under UV light irradiation. These reactive species are then shown to be capable of the photo- degradation of PFOA. The degree of degradation is tracked by identifying transformation products using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (LC-QTOF-MS). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of perfluorinated organic molecules that have raised concerns due to their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic effects. An innovative technology involving UV-vis/ZnxCu1-xFe2O4/oxalic acid has been demonstrated for the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water, with tracking of the degradation process using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy.