High-temperature decomposition chemistry of trimethylsiloxane surfactants, a potential Fluorine–Free replacement for fire suppression. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Etz, Brian D.; Mifkovic, Maleigh; Vyas, Shubham; Shukla, Manoj K.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 308:Part 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Trimethylsiloxane -- High-temperature degradation -- DFT -- Fire suppression -- Mechanism; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become global environmental contaminants due to being notoriously difficult to degrade, and it has become increasingly important to employ suitable PFAS alternatives, especially in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Trimethylsiloxane (TriSil) surfactants are potential fluorine–free replacements for PFAS in fire suppression technologies. Yet because these compounds may be more susceptible to high-temperature decomposition, it is necessary to assess the potential environmental impact of their thermal degradation products. Our study analyzes the high-temperature degradation of a truncated trimethylsiloxane (TriSil-1n) surfactant based on quantum mechanical methods. The degradation chemistry of TriSil-1n was studied through radical formation and propagation initiated from two prominent pathways (unimolecular and bimolecular reactions) at both 298 K and 1200 K, a relevant temperature in flames and thermal incinerators. Regardless of the pathway taken and temperature, all radical intermediates stemmed from the polyethylene glycol chain and primarily formed stable polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and small organics such as ethylene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, among other products. The major degradation products of TriSil-1n resulting from high-temperature thermal degradation as predicted by this study would be relatively less harmful to the environment compared to PFAS incineration/combustion products from previous research, supporting the replacement of PFAS with TriSil surfactants. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Trimethylsiloxane are potential PFAS replacements for fire suppression foams. Thermal degradation via unimolecular and bimolecular reaction channels are presented. High-temperature decomposition begins along the PEG unit of TriSiloxane. Degradation products may pose less of an environmental threat than PFAS incineration.