# Intrinsically microporous polymer (PIM-1) enhanced degradation of heptadecafluoro-1-nonanol at graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)

## TL;DR

A microporous polymer coating improves the breakdown of a toxic chemical using a photocatalyst material.

## Contribution

Coating g-C3N4 with PIM-1 significantly enhances PFAS degradation performance and selectivity.

## Key findings

- Coating g-C3N4 with PIM-1 increases photocatalytic degradation of heptadecafluoro-1-nonanol.
- The microporous structure of PIM-1 enhances interaction with PFAS molecules.
- Degradation products include fluoride and other byproducts depending on the reaction environment.

## Abstract

The photochemical transformation of polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) leads to structural unzipping to give rise to fluoride and further degradation products depending on (i) the type of photocatalyst as well as on (ii) microporous coatings or reaction environments. Here, a substantial increase in photocatalyst performance is observed by coating graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with an intrinsically microporous polymer (PIM-1) to enhance interaction with heptadecafluoro-1-nonanol (as a PFAS model).

Intrinsically microporous host for photocatalysts enhances performance and selectivity in photo-PFAS degradation at g-C3N4.