Nanodiamond reduction photochemistry
Disclosed is a method of irradiating a composition having water and hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds with light that generates water-solvated electrons from the nanodiamonds. The method can be used to degrade fluoroalkyl compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate.
1. A method comprising:
providing a composition comprising:
water; and
hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds;
wherein the nanodiamonds have an average size of less than 10 nm; and
irradiating the composition with light having a wavelength that generates water-solvated electrons from the nanodiamonds.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wavelength is 225-295 nm.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is suspected of containing a fluoroalkyl compound.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fluoroalkyl compound is a perfluoroalkyl surfactant, a perfluoroalkane sulfonate, a perfluoroalkyl acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, or perfluorooctyl acid.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
monitoring the amount of the fluoroalkyl compound in the composition.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
continuing the irradiation of the composition until the amount of the fluoroalkyl compound in the composition has been reduced to a target amount.