Efficient degradation of Bisphenol A by dielectric barrier discharge non-thermal plasma: Performance, degradation pathways and mechanistic consideration

The discharge of recalcitrant and persistent organic pollutants into the environment and subsequent adverse impacts on the ecosystem has aroused a great concern all over the world. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma was employed to eliminate bisphenol A (BPA). The influences of several vital experimental parameters, including discharge voltage, initial pH of solution, and rate of water flow on degradation of BPA, were explored in detail. In addition, the real wastewater from pharmaceutical factory was utilized to test the oxidation performance of DBD system. 96.8% chemical oxygen demand removal was achieved using DBD system. Radical quenching experiment as well as electron paramagnetic resonance test demonstrated that (OH)-O-center dot was the main reactive oxygen species for the degradation of BPA. Moreover, eight major BPA degradation intermediates were identified by UPLC-MS. Ultimately, based on the UPLC-MS test results, a possible degradation pathway of BPA was proposed.

Automated summary

This study successfully eliminated BPA using DBD non-thermal plasma, achieving a 96.8% removal of chemical oxygen demand and identifying key intermediates in BPA degradation. The results suggested that (OH)-O· was the main reactive oxygen species for BPA degradation.