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

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 280; no. C; p. 130660
• Main Authors: Verma, Sanny, Mezgebe, Bineyam, Sahle-Demessie, Endalkachew, Nadagouda, Mallikarjuna N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Heterogeneous photocatalytic system; Magnetically retrievable catalyst; Oxalic acid; PFAS; PFOA; UV–Vis; Magnetically retrievable catalyst; UV–Vis; Oxalic acid; PFAS; PFOA; Heterogeneous photocatalytic system
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130660

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 heterogeneous ferrite catalysts, ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 were synthesized using a sol-gel auto-combustion process followed by calcination at 400 °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 photodegradation 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). [Display omitted] •Synthesis, characterization, and UV light performance of ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 catalysts.•UV light mediated in-situ generation of·OH radicals.•Heterogeneous photo-Fenton like system without the addition of H2O2.•Photo-mineralization of PFOA has been observed.