Degradation of bisphenol A using electrochemical assistant Fe(II)-activated peroxydisulfate process

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution using sulfate radicals was investigated using the Fe(II)-activated peroxydisulfate (PDS) process, electrochemical process, electrochemical process with 2.5 mmol/L Na2S2O8 without Fe(II), and electrochemical assistant Fe(II)-activated PDS process. It was found that the electrochemical assistant Fe(II)-activated PDS process performed best in the degradation of BPA. The variables considered to influence the degradation efficiency of BPA were the initial concentration of Fe2+, the initial concentration of Na2S2O8, and the current density. More than 97% of the BPA removals were achieved within 120 min under the optimum operational condition. The degradation of BPA was accompanied by the formation of phenol, hydroquinone, and small-molecule compounds such as succinic acid. The electron transfer was the principal step in the oxidation of BPA.