Hybrid Graphenic and Iron Oxide Photocatalysts for the Decomposition of Synthetic Chemicals

Overview

Journal Commun Eng

Publisher Springer Nature

Date 2024 Aug 21

PMID 39169101

Authors

Raphaell Moreira

Ehsan B Esfahani

Fatemeh A Zeidabadi

Pani Rostami

Martin Thuo

Madjid Mohseni

Earl J Foster

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that resist degradation, posing a significant environmental and health risk. Current methods for removing PFAS from water are often complex and costly. Here we report a simple, cost-effective method to synthesize an iron oxide/graphenic carbon (Fe/g-C) hybrid photocatalyst for PFAS degradation. This photocatalyst efficiently degrades perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a common type of PFAS, achieving over 85% removal within 3 hours under ultraviolet light. The catalyst also maintains high degradation rates over extended periods, demonstrating its stability and potential for long-term use. This innovative approach offers a promising solution for addressing PFAS contamination in water, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Citing Articles

Efficient Removal of PFASs Using Photocatalysis, Membrane Separation and Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors.

Mabaso N, Tshangana C, Muleja A Membranes (Basel). 2024; 14(10).

PMID: 39452829 PMC: 11509138. DOI: 10.3390/membranes14100217.

References

Holzer J, Goen T, Rauchfuss K, Kraft M, Angerer J, Kleeschulte P . One-year follow-up of perfluorinated compounds in plasma of German residents from Arnsberg formerly exposed to PFOA-contaminated drinking water. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2009; 212(5):499-504. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2009.04.003. View

Du C, Gregory P, Jamadgni D, Pauls A, Chang J, Dorn R . Spatially Directed Pyrolysis via Thermally Morphing Surface Adducts. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023; 62(44):e202308822. DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308822. View

Domingo J, Nadal M . Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Food and Human Dietary Intake: A Review of the Recent Scientific Literature. J Agric Food Chem. 2017; 65(3):533-543. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04683. View

Rahman M, Peldszus S, Anderson W . Behaviour and fate of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: a review. Water Res. 2013; 50:318-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.045. View

Evich M, Davis M, McCord J, Acrey B, Awkerman J, Knappe D . Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment. Science. 2022; 375(6580):eabg9065. PMC: 8902460. DOI: 10.1126/science.abg9065. View

Bentel M, Yu Y, Xu L, Li Z, Wong B, Men Y . Defluorination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) with Hydrated Electrons: Structural Dependence and Implications to PFAS Remediation and Management. Environ Sci Technol. 2019; 53(7):3718-3728. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06648. View

Wu Z, Liu B, Jing H, Gao H, He B, Xia X . Porous carbon framework decorated with carbon nanotubes encapsulating cobalt phosphide for efficient overall water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2022; 629(Pt A):22-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.08.102. View

Ke F, Chen Y, Yin K, Yan J, Zhang H, Liu Z . Large bandgap of pressurized trilayer graphene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019; 116(19):9186-9190. PMC: 6511052. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1820890116. View

Mukherjee A, Chakrabarty S, Kumari N, Su W, Basu S . Visible-Light-Mediated Electrocatalytic Activity in Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Bismuth Ferrite. ACS Omega. 2018; 3(6):5946-5957. PMC: 6045476. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00708. View

10.

Jin T, Peydayesh M, Mezzenga R . Membrane-based technologies for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) removal from water: Removal mechanisms, applications, challenges and perspectives. Environ Int. 2021; 157:106876. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106876. View

11.

Vollmar A, Lin E, Nason S, Santiago K, Johnson C, Ma X . Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and thyroid hormone measurements in dried blood spots and neonatal characteristics: a pilot study. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2023; 33(5):737-747. PMC: 10541328. DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00603-4. View

12.

Dreimol C, Guo H, Ritter M, Keplinger T, Ding Y, Gunther R . Sustainable wood electronics by iron-catalyzed laser-induced graphitization for large-scale applications. Nat Commun. 2022; 13(1):3680. PMC: 9237073. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31283-7. View

13.

Liu S, Li D, Sun H, Ang H, Tade M, Wang S . Oxygen functional groups in graphitic carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalysis. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2016; 468:176-182. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2016.01.051. View

14.

Lotz K, Wutscher A, Dudder H, Berger C, Russo C, Mukherjee K . Tuning the Properties of Iron-Doped Porous Graphitic Carbon Synthesized by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Cellulose and Subsequent Pyrolysis. ACS Omega. 2019; 4(2):4448-4460. PMC: 6648909. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03369. View

15.

Seehra M, Narang V, Geddam U, Stefaniak A . Correlation between X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra of 16 commercial graphene-based materials and their resulting classification. Carbon N Y. 2017; 111:380-384. PMC: 5497829. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.10.010. View

16.

Buck R, Franklin J, Berger U, Conder J, Cousins I, de Voogt P . Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: terminology, classification, and origins. Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2011; 7(4):513-41. PMC: 3214619. DOI: 10.1002/ieam.258. View

17.

Cantoni B, Turolla A, Wellmitz J, Ruhl A, Antonelli M . Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) adsorption in drinking water by granular activated carbon: Influence of activated carbon and PFAS characteristics. Sci Total Environ. 2021; 795:148821. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148821. View

18.

Wang Y, Zhang P, Pan G, Chen H . Ferric ion mediated photochemical decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by 254nm UV light. J Hazard Mater. 2008; 160(1):181-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.02.105. View

19.

Weng B, Wu J, Zhang N, Xu Y . Observing the role of graphene in boosting the two-electron reduction of oxygen in graphene-WO₃ nanorod photocatalysts. Langmuir. 2014; 30(19):5574-84. DOI: 10.1021/la4048566. View

20.

Schumann P, Muschket M, Dittmann D, Rabe L, Reemtsma T, Jekel M . Is adsorption onto activated carbon a feasible drinking water treatment option for persistent and mobile substances?. Water Res. 2023; 235:119861. DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119861. View