Effect of Bisphenol a on the Transfer of TEA + across the Water|1,2-Dicloroethane Interface

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic monomer used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, among others; therefore, it is usually founded in food and beverage containers, dental sealants, etc. In 2003, more than 6 billion pounds of this compound were produced around the world, while the EPA estimates that at least 1 million pounds arrive in the environment each year. On the other hand, endocrine alterations in human beings have been associated with BPA due to its estrogenic capacity; the high hydrophobicity of the compound aids to go through biological membranes. For this reason, it is important to study the interfacial behavior of BPA in a dynamic model system as the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). The aim of this work was to study the inhibitory effect of bisphenol A on the transfer of the cation tetraethylammonium (TEA+) a cross the interface water|1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE). The electrochemical experiments were carried out in a 4-electrode cell (two references and two counterelectrodes) and the interface was polarized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). According to the results, the BPA acts as an inhibitor of the transfer of the TEA+ at the water|1,2-DCE interface. Due to the high hydrophobicity of the BPA, this compound reaches the interface on the side of the organic phase and is accumulated. The discussion is focus on the diffusion coefficient values of the TEA+ (DTEA+) across the interface, since the DTEA+ decreases as a function of the BPA concentration. This study assisted to understand the way in which this compound is accumulated in living systems.