Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropogenic chemicals which have been widely detected in the water systems of United States. Previous research showed that tertiary treatment processes are incapable to mineralize PFAS. In this study we developed a series of degenerate metal oxide semiconductor nanotube array (D-NTA) anodes with metallic conductivity. These anodes could rapidly (HRT &lt; 2 h) mineralize legacy and emerging PFAS in dark electrolysis through direct electron transfer oxidation. It is found that UV (254 nm) irradiation significantly inhibited the surface passivation of D-NTA during electrolysis, due to the photon-induced proton intercalation mechanism. The UV irradiation also promoted the production of radical species to accelerate the degradation of PFAS. A flexible D-NTA anode was attached onto a commercial UV-lamp, the resultant photo-electrochemical reactor was efficient for the mineralization of PFAS. The proof-of-concept study shows that the widely used UV treatment facilities can be upgraded by D-NTA to combat PFAS.

UV assisted electrochemical oxidation of PFAS by degenerate semiconductor electrodes

2019 Fall National Meeting

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