Degradation of bisphenol-A using ultrasonic irradiation assisted by low-concentration hydrogen peroxide

This study investigated the degradation of bisphenol-A (BPA) by ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of different additives (H₂O₂, air bubbles and humic acid) under various operating conditions, i.e., ultrasonic frequency, power intensity and power density. The results demonstrated that the BPA degradation followed pseudo first-order kinetics under different experimental conditions. The optimum power intensities were 0.9, 1.8, and 3.0 W/cm² at the frequencies of 400, 670, and 800 kHz, respectively. At the fixed frequency (800 kHz), the degradation rate of BPA was shown proportional to the increase of power density applied. With this manner, the BPA sonolysis could be facilitated at H₂O₂ dosage being lower than 0.1 mmol/L; while BPA degradation was hindered at H₂O₂ concentration in excess of 1 mmol/L. Additionally, BPA removal was shown to be inhibited by the presence of aeration and humic acid during ultrasonic irradiation. The present study suggested that the degradation rate of BPA assisted by ultrasonic irradiation was influenced by a variety of factors, and high BPA removal rate could be achieved under appropriate conditions.