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

Journal Article · · Chemosphere
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 to 500oC) 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 detect and quantify a complex mixture resulting from potassium perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS-K) decomposition. Nine prevalent decomposition products (namely smaller perfluorocarbon species) are identified and quantified.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2429180
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2376245
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--197315
Journal Information:
Chemosphere, Journal Name: Chemosphere Journal Issue: _ Vol. 362; ISSN 0045-6535
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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