Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate enhances chemically catalytic reductive debromination of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether based on “Pd²⁺ + N₂H₄•H₂O” system

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) predominantly reside in solid matrices such as sediments and soil owing to their strong hydrophobicity. The use of organic solvents in pre-extraction and treatment processes to effectively eliminate PBDEs from solid matrices is not only detrimental to the environment but decreases the debromination efficiency of PBDEs. Herein, the surfactants sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) is introduced for the treatment of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47) in water. In the catalytic system based on “Pd²⁺ + N₂H₄•H₂O”, the addition of 50 mmol/L SDBS achieved complete BDE47 degradation (20 mg/L) in water within 60 s, with 100% debromination efficiency. By contrast, the debromination efficiency of BDE47 was only 8% when using pure methanol as the solvent. The introduction of SDBS increased BDE47 solubility in water, facilitating its debromination, which not only avoided the use of organic solvents but also accelerated the chemically catalytic reduction of BDE47 via active hydrogen atoms (H•) due to the higher hydrogen-bond donor capability of water compared to that of organic solvents. In addition, in situ decoration of Pd nanoparticles with SDBS improved their dispersion and amphiphilicity, promoting the surface adsorption of hydrophilic N₂H₄•H₂O and hydrophobic BDE47, which enhanced H• generation and its transfer to BDE47.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Debromination / Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate / Catalytic reduction / Active hydrogen atoms / 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether

Highlight

	● Catalyst preparation and BDE47 debromination simultaneously achieved in 60 s.
	● In situ decoration of Pd with SDBS improved their dispersion and amphiphilicity.
	● Adsorption of hydrophilic N2H4•H2O and hydrophobic BDE47 was promoted.
	● H• generation and H• transfer to BDE47 were accelerated.

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