Elucidating the relationship between PFOA and PFOS destruction, particle size and electron generation in amended media commonly found in soils

Ball milling has emerged as a promising destructive technique for treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-impacted soils. Environmental media properties such as reactive species generated upon ball milling and particle size are postulated to influence the effectiveness of the technology. In this study, four media types amended with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were planetary ball milled to investigate destruction, fluoride recovery without additional co-milling reagents and the relationship between PFOA and PFOS destruction, particle size during milling, and electron generation. Silica sand, nepheline syenite sand, calcite and marble were sieved to achieve similar initial particle sizes (6/35 distribution), amended with PFOA and PFOS, and milled for 4 h. Particle size analysis was conducted throughout milling and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) was used as a radical scavenger to assess electron generation from the four media types. Particle size reduction was observed to be positively correlated to PFOA and PFOS destruction and DPPH• neutralization (demonstrating electron generation by milling) in silica sand and nepheline syenite sand. Milling of a fine fraction (< 500 μm) of silica sand revealed less destruction compared to the 6/35 distribution suggesting the ability to fracture grains in silicate media is integral to PFOA and PFOS destruction. DPPH• neutralization was demonstrated in all four amended media types, confirming silicate sands and calcium carbonates generate electrons as a reactive species during ball milling. Fluoride loss as a function of milling time was observed in all amended media types. A sodium fluoride (NaF) spiked was used to quantify fluoride loss in the media independent of PFAS. A method was developed using the NaF-amended media fluoride concentrations to estimate the total fluorine liberated from PFOA and PFOS by ball milling. Estimates produced suggest complete recovery of theoretical fluorine yield is obtained. Data from this study was used to propose a reductive destruction mechanism for PFOA and PFOS.