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Degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by zero-valent iron nanoparticles under ultraviolet light

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Abstract

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is ubiquitous in the environment because of its wide applications in aqueous film forming foam, food packing, waterproof breathable fabrics, and Teflon products. Though it is resistant to biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation has been proven possible. In this study, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (Fe0 NPs), with or without 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating, were used for PFOA degradation under ultraviolet C (UVC) light for the first time. PFOA was degraded faster initially (e.g., < 13 h) with Fe0 NPs than without Fe0 NPs under UVC light. In addition, the degradation rate using Fe0 NPs without coating was higher than that with 1% PVP coating in the initial 6 h, although the difference was diminished afterwards. Both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions were detected during the process. Shorter-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), i.e., PFHpA, PFHxA, PFPeA, and PFBA, were detected as main intermediates; fluoride ions (F−) were also detected. Rapid consumption of Fe3+ (plus the lower UV–vis absorption intensity observed for a mixture of PFOA and FeCl3 compared to the intensity observed for FeCl3 alone) indicated the possible formation of [C7F15COO-Fe]2+—a degradable complex. The UV/Fe0 system is superior, with low toxicity of iron and no introduction of other chemicals. Additionally, the cost of Fe0 NPs is low, and the recycle of Fe0 NPs is easy from the treated water by their magnetic properties. The study provided an innovative, environment-friendly, and low-cost method for PFOA degradation by Fe0 NPs under UVC light, which could be potentially applied for treatment of surface water and groundwater contaminated by PFOA.

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Acknowledgments

The publication was developed under Assistance Agreement No. 83946001 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Jia Liu. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of CX and JL and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication. This research was also sponsored by the Start-up to Jia Liu, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Thanks are given to Dr. Da Chen, Dr. Boyd M. Goodson, Dr. Yan Wu, and Max Ehren Gemeinhardt for their kind help.

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  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University, 1230 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Chunjie Xia & Jia Liu

  2. Materials Technology Center, Southern Illinois University, 1245 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Jia Liu

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  1. Chunjie Xia
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Xia, C., Liu, J. Degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by zero-valent iron nanoparticles under ultraviolet light. J Nanopart Res 22, 188 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-020-04925-4

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