Advance Oxidation Process (AOP) of Bisphenol A Using a Novel Surface-Functionalised Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Fibre Catalyst

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor in the environment which is not readily oxidised during wastewater treatment at Municipal Authorities. The aim of this work is to evaluate the environmental value of the wastewater treatment of a novel heterogeneous oxidation catalyst by means of the degradation of BPA, avoiding sewage sludge and its post-treatments. A surface-functionalised polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mesh has been produced by reaction of the cyano group of PAN with hydrazine and hydroxylamine salts. This surface-functionalised PAN is then exposed to iron (III) salt solution to promote the ligation of Fe(III) to the functional groups to form the active catalytic site. The experiments were set up in two different batch reactors at laboratory scale at different temperatures and initial pH. The degradation of BPA was detected by measuring the absorbance of BPA in Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography at 280 nm. A total elimination of 75 ppm of BPA in less than 30 min was achieved under 300 ppm H2O2, 0.5 g PAN catalyst, initial pH 3 and 60 °C. Almost no adsorption of BPA on the catalyst was detected and there was no significant difference in activity of the catalyst after use for two cycles.

Clay-Supported Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Catalytic Advanced Oxidation Processes: A Review

“…A similar role of the support was also demonstrated by clay in Fe/Cu/Zr-pillared clays for the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The higher TOF was achieved with a smaller amount on the active catalytic site [ 78 ]. Interestingly, the synergic effect between active nanoparticles and the support leads to better reusability and recyclability [ 79 , 80 , 81 ].…”

“…The process consists of intercalation followed by a calcination procedure. Intercalation is an ion exchange process of native cations between the smectite layers with other cations having a higher reduction potential, or the polyoxocations [ 78 , 101 ]. The intercalation is intended to open up the interlayer region, creating a higher specific surface area or pore volume; furthermore, through the calcination process, dihydroxylation of the polyoxocations will produce a metal oxide as metal oxide pillars which is also homogeneously distributed metal oxide ( Figure 6 ).…”