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Rapid PFOS mineralization with peroxydisulfate activation process mediated by N modified Fe-based catalyst
Yanting Jiang1, Yihui Hu1, Zhendong Yu1
1Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|August 16, 2023
Summary
A novel magnetic iron-based catalyst (Fe/NC-1000) efficiently degrades perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) by activating peroxydisulfate (PDS). This green process primarily uses singlet oxygen and electron transfer, forming low-toxicity intermediates.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Iron-based catalysts are cost-effective and promising for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation.
- Developing high-performance iron-based catalysts is crucial for environmental remediation.
- Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant requiring efficient degradation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a magnetic Fe-based catalyst (Fe/NC-1000) for PDS activation.
- To investigate the efficiency of Fe/NC-1000 in degrading PFOS.
- To elucidate the degradation mechanism and assess the toxicity of byproducts.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Fe/NC-1000 using Fe-modified ZIF-8 as a precursor.
- Characterization of catalyst morphology and composition (Fe0, FeNx, carbon).
- PFOS degradation experiments using the Fe/NC-1000/PDS system, including quenching tests, EPR, LC-MS-MS, DFT calculations, electrochemistry, and ECOSAR analysis.
Main Results:
- Fe/NC-1000, a porous magnetic catalyst, was successfully synthesized.
- The Fe/NC-1000/PDS system achieved 97.9% PFOS degradation within 30 minutes.
- Degradation occurred via singlet oxygen and electron transfer, with PFOS converting to PFOA and then defluorinated intermediates of low toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Fe/NC-1000 is a highly efficient catalyst for PDS activation and PFOS degradation.
- The degradation pathway involves de-sulfonation and defluorination, producing less toxic byproducts.
- This study offers insights into Fe-based catalyst mechanisms for PFAS removal, highlighting a green remediation approach.
