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

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-Ga2O3 under 254 nm UV irradiation. And the structure of prepared β-Ga2O3 was characterized with XRD, SEM and BET instruments. Because the photogenerated electrons in the conduction band of β-Ga2O3 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-Ga2O3 followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics.