UVC-assisted electrochemical degradation of novel bisphenol analogues with boron-doped diamond electrodes: kinetics, pathways and eco-toxicity removal

Abstract

In the present study, the UVC-assisted electrochemical degradation ofthree novel bisphenol analogues (BPs; including bisphenol F, S, and B, i.e., BPF, BPS and BPB, respectively), along with bisphenol A (BPA), was investigated using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. At first, this study demonstrated a significant influence ofcurrent density on the degradation rates of BPF by the BDD anode. The pseudo-first order rate constants for BPF were calculated as 0.012, 0.028 and 0.029 min−1 at the applied current densities of 10, 20 and 30 mA/cm2, respectively. UVC irradiation significantly enhanced the electrochemical degradation of BPF in the concentration range from 5 to 30 mg/L, with synergistic effects in the range of 32.0%–40.9%. The UVC-BDD electrolysisshowed comparable or even lower electric energy per order (EEO) than single BDD electrolysis. The UVC-assisted degradation of the investigated BPs showed decreased pseudo-first order rate constants in the following order: BPF > BPA > BPB > BPS. Based on the identifiedtransformation products, UVC-assisted electrochemical degradation pathways of the novel BPs were proposed to be mainly hydroxylation and bond-cleavage. UVC irradiation has been proved to promote the formation of hydroxyl radicals by BDD electrode to facilitate the degradation process. For these BPs, nearly 100% mineralization can be achieved by a modified strategy using a short-time UVC-assisted BDD electrolysis (120 min) that is followed by UVC photolysis (360 min). Finally, the eco-toxicity of the BPs solutions towardsVibrio Fischeri was significantly removed after 120 min of the electrochemical degradation period. Based on these results, the UVC-assisted electrochemical treatment using a BDD electrode can be considered a promising technology for the removal of novel BPs and the reduction of their hazardous effects to aqueous environments.