Decomposition of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) by heterogeneous photocatalysis in acidic aqueous medium

Decomposition of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) is of prime importance since they are recognized as persistent organic pollutants and are widespread in the environment. PFCAs with longer carbon chain length are particularly of interest because of their noted recalcitrance, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. Here in this study, we demonstrate efficient decomposition of three important PFCAs such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) by heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO₂ as a photocatalyst in acidic aqueous solutions. The PFCAs were decomposed into shorter carbon chain length PFCAs and fluoride ions. Photoholes of excited TiO₂ generated upon UV-irradiation are found to be the oxidation sites for PFCAs. Therefore, creation and sustenance of these photoholes in the acidic aqueous medium has enhanced the decomposition of PFCAs. Heterogeneous photocatalytic treatment achieved more than 99% decomposition and 38% complete mineralization of PFOA in 7 h. The decomposition of other PFCAs was as high as 99% with a defluorination efficiency of 38% for PFDA and 54% for PFNA. The presence of perchloric acid was found to enhance the decomposition by facilitating the ionization of PFCAs. The oxygen present in the medium served both as an oxidant and an electron acceptor. The mechanistic details of PFCA decomposition and their corresponding mineralization are elaborated.