PFAS remediation: Evaluating the infrared spectra of complex gaseous mixtures to determine the efficacy of thermal decomposition of PFAS

Chemosphere. 2024 Aug:362:142631. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142631. Epub 2024 Jun 15.

Abstract

Due to their widespread production and known environmental contamination, the need for the detection and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has grown quickly. While destructive thermal treatment of PFAS at low temperatures (e.g., 200-500 °C) is of interest due to lower energy and infrastructure requirements, the range of possible degradation products remains underexplored. To better understand the low temperature decomposition of PFAS species, we have coupled gas-phase infrared spectroscopy with a multivariate curve resolution (MCR) analysis and a database of high-resolution PFAS infrared reference spectra to characterize and quantify a complex mixture resulting from potassium perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS-K) decomposition. Beginning at 375 °C, nine prevalent decomposition products (namely smaller perfluorocarbon species) are identified and quantified.

Keywords: Infrared spectroscopy; MCR; PFAS; PFOS; Perfluoroalkyl substances; Thermal decomposition.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / analysis
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / chemistry
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / chemistry
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation* / methods
  • Fluorocarbons* / analysis
  • Fluorocarbons* / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Environmental Pollutants