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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1968-1976 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Water Research |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
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