Degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous solution by persulfate activated with ferrous ion.

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution was studied with high-efficiency sulfate radical (SO4(-·)), which was generated by the activation of persulfate (S2O8(2-)) with ferrous ion (Fe(2+)). S2O8(2-) was activated by Fe(2+) to produce SO4(-·), and iron powder (Fe(0)) was used as a slow-releasing source of dissolved Fe(2+). The major oxidation products of BPA were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer. The mineralization efficiency of BPA was monitored by total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer. BPA removal efficiency was improved by the increase of initial S2O8(2-) or Fe(2+) concentrations and then decreased with excess Fe(2+) concentration. The adding mode of Fe(2+) had significant impact on BPA degradation and mineralization. BPA removal rates increased from 49 to 97% with sequential addition of Fe(2+), while complete degradation was observed with continuous diffusion of Fe(2+), and the latter achieved higher TOC removal rate. When Fe(0) was employed as a slow-releasing source of dissolved Fe(2+), 100% of BPA degradation efficiency was achieved, and the highest removal rate of TOC (85%) was obtained within 2 h. In the Fe(0)-S2O8(2-) system, Fe(0) as the activator of S2O8(2-) could offer sustainable oxidation for BPA, and higher TOC removal rate was achieved. It was proved that Fe(0)-S2O8(2-) system has perspective for future works.