Amine-Functionalized A-Center Sphalerite for Selective and Efficient Destruction of Perfluorooctanoic Acid

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), especially perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have contaminated the ground and surface waters throughout the world. Efficient removal of PFCs from contaminated waters has been a major challenge. This study developed a novel UV-based reaction system to achieve fast PFOA adsorption and decomposition without addition of sacrificial chemicals by using synthetic photocatalyst sphalerite (ZnS-[N]) with sufficient surface amination and defects. The obtained ZnS-[N] has the capability of both reduction and oxidation due to the suitable band gap and photo-generated hole-trapping properties created by surface defects. The cooperated organic amine functional groups on the surface of ZnS-[N] play a crucial role in the selective adsorption of PFOA, which guarantee the efficient destruction of PFOA subsequently, and 1 μg L^-1 PFOA could be degraded to <70 ng L^-1 after 3 h in the presence of 0.75 g L^-1 ZnS-[N] under 500 W UV irradiation. In this process, the photogenerated electrons (reduction) and holes (oxidation) on the ZnS-[N] surface work in a synergistic manner to achieve complete defluorination of PFOA. This study not only provides promising green technology for PFC-pollution remediation but also highlights the significance of developing a target system capable of both reduction and oxidation for PFC degradation.