Degradation of perfluoroalkyl substances using UV/Fe0 system with and without the presence of oxygen

The wide presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment is a global concern, thus their degradation is an imminent task. In this study, oxidative and/or reductive degradation of three representative PFAS – perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was achieved using nanoscale zero-valent iron (Fe0 NPs) under ultraviolet (UV) light, both with and without the presence of oxygen. Higher degradation and defluorination rates were obtained for a longer chain PFNA compared to PFOA, and a higher removal of PFAS was achieved without the presence of O2 compared to that with O2. The degradation followed first-order reaction kinetics, and obtained the highest rates of 97.6, >99.9, and 98.5% without the presence of O2 for PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS, respectively. The degradation rates increased with an increase in the nanoparticle concentrations in the range of 1–100 mg/L. In addition to fluoride ions, shorter chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were detected as the main intermediates during PFAS degradation; PFHpS and 6:2 FTS were also detected during PFOS degradation. Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O2−) were not involved in the degradation of PFOA, but likely involved in the degradation of PFOS. Emerging contaminants PFAS degradation using the UV/Fe0 system is a cost-effective technology owing to the low cost and recyclability of Fe0 nanomaterials, low energy consumption in the system, and its capability to degrade PFAS both with and without the presence of oxygen. This technology can be potentially applied to treat PFAS-contaminated waters in the environment.