A novel strategy of peracetic acid activation by dielectric barrier discharge plasma for bisphenol a degradation: Feasibility, mechanism and active species dominant to degradation pathway

Abstract

As a typical endocrine disruptor, bisphenol A (BPA) can not only affect the reproduction and development of aquatic organisms, but also pose a significant threat to environmental safety and human health. This work proposed a novel strategy of peracetic acid (PAA) activation by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma for BPA degradation. It can be confirmed that DBD plasma can effectively activate PAA. 93.4 % BPA was destructed in the DBD/PAA system, which was 39.8 % higher than that in the DBD system alone. The energy yield (G₅₀) of the DBD/PAA system was 211.5 g/kWh, while the single DBD system was only 59.7 g/kWh. The degradation efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were also improved. The active substances such as OH, CH₃C(O)OO, ¹O₂, O₂⁻, and e⁻ were important for the degradation of BPA in the DBD/PAA system. The pH dropped, and the total conductivity rose in the degradation processing of BPA. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and density functional theory (DFT) simulation were adopted to investigate the degradation mechanism and process. The toxicity of intermediates in three degradation pathways to aquatic organisms was reduced. The degradation efficiency of BPA was more effective as input power increased and initial concentration decreased. BPA was more easily degraded under acidic solutions than under alkaline and neutral solutions. In addition, the effects of typical inorganic ions and humic acids on BPA degradation in the DBD/PAA system were examined. Finally, the DBD/PAA system is suitable for the application of various pollutants and actual wastewater. This research proposes an innovative idea and reference for PAA activation and plasma application in wastewater treatment.