Enhanced Degradation of Perfluorocarboxylic Acids (PFCAs) by UV/Sulfite Treatment: Reaction Mechanisms and System Efficiencies at pH 12

Reductive defluorination with UV-generated hydrated electrons (eaq–) is a promising technology for the destruction of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs, CnF2n+1COO–). However, prior studies using pH 9–10 observed a slow reaction rate, limited defluorination percentage (deF%), and thus high energy consumption. Herein, we report on the substantially enhanced rate and extent of PFCA defluorination by operating the UV/sulfite system at the optimized...