Photocatalytic degradation of endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A in ZnO/UV system: optimization and modeling using a response surface methodology (RSM)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to evaluate the degradation of of Bisphenol A (BPA), a representative endocrine disruptor chemical by ZnO under UVA irradiation in a batch reactor. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to develop a multi-variant regression model and to assess the influence of individual parameters as well as the interactive effects. Time (min), Catalyst (mg/l), H2O2 (mg), and pH were chosen as independent variables to optimize the degradation rate of BPA as response. The central composite design (CCD) consisting of 30 experiments determined by 24 full factorial designs with eight axial points and six center points was used to conduct experiments. The results showed tha the model predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental values, and the behavior of the model equation has supported the experimental observation with minor deviation. Separate validation experiment at predicted optimal condition ascertained the high predictive ability of the model equation. This work suggested that the ZnO assisted photocatalytic degradation is a versatile, economic, envinronmentally benign and efficient method for BPA removal in the aqueous environment