Photochemical decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid mediated by iron in strongly acidic conditions

•Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was decomposed based on ferric ion performance.•Complete decomposition of PFOA was confirmed in strongly acidic conditions.•Fe2+ changed to Fe3+ to restore chemical equilibrium in this condition.•Fe3+ was only produced from Fe2+ by hydroxyl radical in weakly acidic conditions.•The Fe3+ regeneration mechanisms resulted in the performance of Fe3+ for PFOA. The performance of a ferric ion mediated photochemical process for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) decomposition in strongly acidic conditions of pH 2.0 was evaluated in comparison with those in weakly acidic conditions, pH 3.7 or pH 5.0, based on iron species composition and ferric ion regeneration. Complete decomposition of PFOA under UV irradiation was confirmed at pH 2.0, whereas perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and other intermediates were accumulated in weakly acidic conditions. Iron states at each pH were evaluated using a chemical equilibrium model, Visual MINTEQ. The main iron species at pH 2.0 is Fe3+ ion. Although Fe3+ ion is consumed and is transformed to Fe2+ ion by photochemical decomposition of PFOA and its intermediates, the produced Fe2+ ion will change to Fe3+ ion to restore chemical equilibrium. Continuous decomposition will occur at pH 2.0. However, half of the iron cannot be dissolved at pH 3.7. The main species of dissolved iron is Fe(OH)2+. At pH 3.7 or higher pH, Fe3+ ion will only be produced from the oxidation of Fe2+ ion by hydroxyl radical produced by Fe(OH)2+ under UV irradiation. These different mechanisms of Fe3+ regeneration that prevail in strongly and weakly acidic conditions will engender different performances of the ferric ion.