Degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous environment using peroxymonosulfate activated with carbonate: Performance, possible pathway, and mechanism

In the current study, bisphenol A (BPA) removal in water environment by carbonate-activated peroxymonosulfate (CO32-/PMS) oxidation process is reported for the first time. The CO32-/PMS system showed excellent catalytic activity by degrading 100% BPA within 40 min reaction time. BPA degradation showed pseudo-firstorder kinetics with rate constant (k) value of 0.0918 min(-1). The effects of initial concentration of CO32-, PMS, BPA, pH, and inorganic anions, including nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-), chloride (Cl-), phosphate (PO4-), and humic acid (HA) were studied. The addition of NO3- , SO42-, and PO4- in the CO32-/PMS system decreased BPA degradation %, whereas a high concentration of Cl- and HA addition promoted BPA degradation %. Electron paramagnetic resonance and radical scavenging experiments verified that both the SO4 center dot- and HO center dot were generated in the CO32-/PMS system. According to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results, the possible degradation pathways for BPA were suggested. Toxicity experiments revealed that BPA metabolites were not toxic. It could be concluded that the CO32-/PMS system is a promising process for removing BPA in different types of water (ultrapure, lake, and wastewater)

Automated summary

The study investigated the removal of BPA in water environment using the CO32-/PMS oxidation process, demonstrating excellent catalytic activity and degradation efficiency. Factors affecting BPA degradation were examined, and the generation of SO4•- and HO• radicals in the CO32-/PMS system was confirmed. The process showed promise for application in various types of water for BPA removal.