Bisphenol A degradation by peroxymonosulfate photo-activation coupled with carbon-based cobalt ferrite nanocomposite: Performance, upgrading synergy and mechanistic pathway

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-01, Vol.287, p.132024-132024, Article 132024
• Main Authors: Kakavandi, Babak, Alavi, Saba, Ghanbari, Farshid, Ahmadi, Mehdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bisphenol A; Catalytic degradation; Cobalt ferrite; Mineralization; Peroxymonosulfate
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132024

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CF) nanoparticles were anchored on the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) for synthesis of CF@MWCNT nanocomposite and enhancing the catalytic activity of CF. After well characterization, it was applied as a catalyst towards photo-activation peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). Based on the identified intermediates, a possible degradation pathway was proposed for BPA. CF@MWCNT coupled with PMS and UV (i.e., CF@MWCNT/PMS/UV) exhibited a better performance than homogeneous UV-assisted PMS processes under Fe and Co ions. A significant synergy on the degradation of BPA was observed in the simultaneous application of catalyst, UV light and PMS. Under optimum conditions, the removal efficiencies of 100 and 72.6% were attained respectively for BPA and TOC by CF@MWCNT/PMS/UV within 60 min reaction. These efficiencies were decreased to 88 and 61% after five times use of catalyst, respectively. The leaching of metal ions dissolved from the catalyst was slight during cyclic utilization of catalyst, confirming high stability of CF@MWCNT. In this process, the participation of radical mechanisms was approximately 60%, which SO4•– and HO• species contributed as predominant oxidizing reactive species. It also showed the excellent catalytic performance towards decomposition of persulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Overall, UV-assisted PMS catalyzed by CF@MWCNT exhibited a good catalytic performance and so it can be potentially introduced as a promising method for efficient treatment of water contaminated by BPA. [Display omitted] •CF bimetallic was anchored on MWCNT and applied towards PMS activation.•CF@MWCNT showed better performance into degrade BPA than homogeneous catalysts.•The participation of radical mechanisms was 60% by SO4.•– and HO• species.•Removal efficiencies of 100 and 72.6% were attained for respectively BPA and TOC.•An excellent catalytic activity for decomposition of PS and HP was achieved by catalyst.