Efficient degradation of bisphenol A in water by heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate using highly active cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract Cobalt ferrite CoFe2O4 catalyst was fabricated and systematically investigated as an efficient peroxymonosulfate (PMS, HSO5−) activator for the degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants (ROCs) in water treatment. Both SO4•− and •OH on the surface of catalyst were unveiled to be primarily responsible for bisphenol A (BPA) degradation by a comprehensive study using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), radical scavengers and quantification of SO4•−, and the negligible contribution of singlet oxygen (1O2) was also observed. BPA degradation was accelerated in the presence of humic acid, and it increased first but then decreased with the further addition of fulvic acid. Moreover, the presence of chloride and bicarbonate ions can enhance both BPA and TOC removal. The toxicity of the target aqueous solution ascended slowly at the early stage but then declined dramatically and almost vanished as the reaction proceeded. The removal efficiencies of other typical ROCs (clofibric acid, 2,4-dichlorophenol, etc.) and the decontamination of natural surface water spiked with BPA were also evaluated. This CoFe2O4/PMS process could be well applied as a safe, efficient, and sustainable approach for ROCs remediation in complex wastewater matrix.