Zero valent copper-mediated ferrate (Ⅵ) for the degradation of bisphenol AF

This study presented a novel zero valent copper-mediated ferrate (VI) oxidation system for the degradation of bisphenol AF (BPAF). The effect of various factors (such as the dosage of ZVC, the concentration of ferrate(VI), the reaction temperature, the initial pH of reaction solution, inorganic anions and HA) on the BPAF degradation process was investigated. It was discovered that ZVC had a good catalytic effect on ferrate(VI), with a removal efficiency of 92.4% achieved in 3 min under a standard condition([ZVC]0 =50 mg/L, [Fe(Ⅵ)]0 = 30 μM, [BPAF]0 = 3 μM, [pH]0 = 7, T = 25 ℃). Nitrate ions (NO3-) have no obvious effect on the degradation of BPAF. Sulfate ions (SO42-) promoted BPAF degradation at low concentrations but inhibited it at high concentrations, whereas different concentrations of chloride (Cl-) or bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) inhibited it. Furthermore, methyl phenyl sulfoxide (PMSO) was used as a probe to detect the presence of active species in this system. The results showed that the intermediate iron substances (Fe(IV)/Fe(V)) with strong oxidation ability and Fe(VI) completed the degradation of BPAF collectively. The use of zero-valent copper and ferrate (VI) provided a viable method for removing refractory organics from wastewater. [Display omitted] •The Fe(VI)-ZVC system was found to be effective for BPAF degradation.•The reaction mechanism in Fe(VI)-ZVC system was examined.•Only high-valent iron species was involved in the Fe(VI)-ZVC system.•The role of key reaction parameters on BPAF removal were investigated.