PVDF-Pyrolyzed Fluorine-Doped TiO2 for Synergistic Adsorption-Enhanced PFOA Photocatalysis

초록

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), notably perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are persistent pollutants posing health risks via bioaccumulation and water mobility. While TiO2 photocatalysis for PFOA degradation is well-reported, efficiency falters in dilute environments due to weak adsorption and rapid charge recombination. This study presents a novel hybrid approach with surface-modified TiO2 designed to enhance PFOA adsorption while enabling simultaneous degradation. Fluorine-doped TiO2 (F-TiO2) was synthesized through cost-effective, one-step PVDF pyrolysis, promoting nanopores and hydrophobic interactions for PFOA enrichment alongside improved charge separation. UV–vis spectroscopy and UVC tests (254 nm, 1.59 mW/cm2) with sodium persulfate showed F-TiO2 achieving ~92% PFOA removal at 700 mg/L (vs. ~58% for pristine TiO2), with nine-fold faster kinetics (rate constant: 0.217 h−1 vs. 0.024 h−1; half-life: ~3.2 h vs. ~28 h). IC analysis confirmed partial PFOA mineralization, with ~25 ppm F− detected after 16 h UV irradiation, indicating significant defluorination. Unlike noble-metal or graphene variants, F-TiO2 exploits fluorine for adsorption-photocatalysis synergy, providing an economical, scalable PFAS remediation in low-concentration waters. (Figure presented.). © 2026 The Author(s). EcoMat published by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

키워드