Photocatalytic decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid with β-Ga2O3 wide bandgap photocatalyst

Abstract

Abstract Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of new environmental persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and its potential threat attracts much attention. Photocatalytic decomposition of PFOA was investigated with a wide bandgap photocatalyst, i.e., β-Ga 2 O 3 under 254 nm UV irradiation. And the structure of prepared β-Ga 2 O 3 was characterized with XRD, SEM and BET instruments. Because the photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of β-Ga 2 O 3 possess strong reductive capability, PFOA molecules adsorbed on its surface could be reductively destroyed and simultaneously fluoride ions released into the solution. The photocatalytic decomposition of PFOA with β-Ga 2 O 3 followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics.