Novel technologies for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) destruction are becoming increasingly important as PFAS contamination has increased in drinking water throughout the globe. UV-Fenton chemistry catalyzed by nanosize magnetite (Fe3O4) particles and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a promising method for disrupting PFAS carbon-fluorine bonds by production and reaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we observe greater than 90% degradation efficiency for 14 out of 18 PFAS compounds defined by the EPA 537.1 by UV-Fenton reaction. In order to demonstrate that ROS are formed under the reported experimental conditions, we utilize a fluorescent probe to confirm presence of ROS and an increase in their concentration concomitantly with magnetite concentration increase. PFAS destruction efficiency is additionally enhanced at elevated pH levels; however, by varying both the Fe3O4 and H2O2concentrations in solution, high efficiency can be achieved at neutral pH conditions, such as those found in drinking water. PFAS destruction occurred with UV exposure times on the order of minutes. Fe3O4 retained its oxidation state and catalytic efficiency after multiple cycles of PFAS destruction, indicating that the material is reusable, and showed no drop in degradation efficiency of PFAS after multiple use cycles. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was utilized to demonstrate destruction efficiency and to identify the degradation products. ROS generation utilizing naturally-occurring Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the presence of H2O2 has been shown to be an efficient method for PFAS destruction with potential scalability for drinking water decontamination.

Destruction of per/poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) by magnetite nanoparticle-catalyzed UV-Fenton reaction

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