Diatom-assisted biomicroreactor targeting the complete removal of perfluorinated compounds

Publication date: 15 February 2020Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 384Author(s): Karunya Albert, Pei-Ying Hsieh, Tsai-Hsuan Chen, Chia-Hung Hou, Hsin-Yun HsuAbstractPersistent perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been recognized as a global environmental issue. Developing methods without leading to additional burden in nature will be essential for PFCs removal. Herein, we functionalized iron nanoparticles on living diatom (Dt) to efficiently enable the Fenton reaction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Iron nanoparticles at the surface of living diatom act as promising catalytic agents to trigger OH radical generation from H2O2. Dt plays dual roles: i) as solid support for effective adsorption, and ii) it supplies oxygen and inherently produces ROS under stress conditions, which improves removal efficiency of PFCs. We also demonstrated its reusability by simple magnetic separation and 85% of decomposition efficiency could still be achieved. This newly developed diatom-assisted bioremediation strategy enables green and efficient PFC decomposition and shall be readily applicable to other persistent pollutants.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research