Electrochemical degradation of bisphenol A on different anodes

Yu hong Cui, Xiao yan Li, Guohua Chen

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

218 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were carried out on the kinetics, pathways and mechanisms of electrochemical (EC) degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) on four types of anodes, Ti/boron-doped diamond (BDD), Ti/Sb-SnO2, Ti/RuO2and Pt. There were considerable differences among the anodes in their effectiveness and performance of BPA electrolysis. BPA was readily destructed at the Ti/Sb-SnO2and Ti/BDD anodes, the Pt anode had a moderate ability to remove BPA, and the Ti/RuO2anode was incapable of effectively oxidising BPA. The intermediate products of EC degradation of BPA were detected and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and a general BPA degradation pathway was proposed based on the analytical results. It was suggested that {radical dot}OH radicals produced by water electrolysis attacked BPA to form hydroxylated BPA derivatives that were then transformed into one-ring aromatic compounds. These compounds underwent ring breakage, which led to the formation of aliphatic acids that were eventually mineralised by electrolysis to CO2. Compared to the Pt and Ti/RuO2anodes, the Ti/Sb-SnO2and Ti/BDD anodes were found to have higher oxygen evolution potentials and higher anodic potentials for BPA electrolysis under the same current condition. However, the stability and durability of the Ti/Sb-SnO2anode still needs to be greatly improved for actual application. In comparison, with its high durability and good reactivity for organic oxidation, the Ti/BDD anode appears to be the more promising one for the effective EC treatment of BPA and similar endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) pollutants.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1968-1976
Number of pages9
JournalWater Research
Volume43
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anode
  • Bisphenol A (BPA)
  • Boron-doped diamond (BDD)
  • Electrochemistry
  • Hydroxyl radical
  • Wastewater treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecological Modelling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Electrochemical degradation of bisphenol A on different anodes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this