Effective removal of bisphenol A (BPA) from water using a goethite/activated carbon composite

The removal of bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solutions, where it can interact with natural organic matter (NOM), is of great concern for water safety. In this study, the preparation of goethite iron oxide particles impregnated activated carbon composite (GPAC) has been discussed. The goal of developing an advanced material was to remove BPA in the presence of NOM. Characterizations of the GPAC were carried out by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the Fourier transfer infra-red (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and their physical characteristics were studied. The adsorption characteristics of GPAC were evaluated by batch adsorption studies. The adsorption kinetics of BPA on GPAC followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms models were applied to determine the BPA removal capacity by GPAC. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm was considered to be more suitable than the Langmuir isotherm for the adsorption of BPA. It was also noted that the adsorption capacity of BPA on GPAC increased with an increase in the iron oxide concentration in GPAC. The obtained results were also compared with those of goethite and bare PAC. The effects of NOM on the BPA removal characteristics were also studied, indicating that the BPA adsorption capacity was enhanced in the presence of NOM.