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Efficient Decomposition of Environmentally Persistent Perfluorocarboxylic Acids by Use of Persulfate as a Photochemical Oxidant
Photochemical decomposition of persistent perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in water by use of persulfate ion (S2O8 2-) was examined to develop a technique to neutralize stationary sources of PFCAs. Photolysis of S2O8 2- produced highly oxidative sulfate radical anions (SO4 •-), which efficiently de...
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Published in: | Environmental science & technology 2005-04, Vol.39 (7), p.2383-2388 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Photochemical decomposition of persistent perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in water by use of persulfate ion (S2O8 2-) was examined to develop a technique to neutralize stationary sources of PFCAs. Photolysis of S2O8 2- produced highly oxidative sulfate radical anions (SO4 •-), which efficiently decomposed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other PFCAs bearing C4−C8 perfluoroalkyl groups. The major products were F- and CO2; also, small amounts of PFCAs with shorter than initial chain lengths were detected in the reaction solution. PFOA at a concentration of 1.35 mM (typical of that in untreated wastewater after an emulsifying process in fluoropolymer manufacture) was completely decomposed by a photochemical system with 50 mM S2O8 2- and 4 h of irradiation from a 200-W xenon−mercury lamp. The initial PFOA decomposition rate was 11 times higher than with photolysis alone. All sulfur-containing species in the reaction solution were eventually transformed to sulfate ions by this method. This method was successfully applied to the decomposition of perfluorononanoic acid contained in a floor wax solution. |
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ISSN: | 0013-936X 1520-5851 |
DOI: | 10.1021/es0484754 |