Oxidative degradation of bisphenol A and 17α-ethinyl estradiol by Fenton-like activity of silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 168; pp. 617 - 622
• Main Authors: Park, Chang Min, Heo, Jiyong, Yoon, Yeomin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2017
• Subjects: 17α-ethinyl estradiol; antibacterial properties; aqueous solutions; Benzhydryl Compounds - analysis; Bisphenol A; Catalysis; cations; cytotoxicity; Degradation; Endocrine Disruptors - analysis; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; equations; estradiol; Ethinyl Estradiol - analysis; hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydroxyl radicals; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; nanosilver; oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Phenols - analysis; polyvinylpyrrolidone; Povidone - chemistry; silver; Silver - chemistry; Silver nanoparticle; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Degradation; Hydroxyl radicals; Bisphenol A; 17α-ethinyl estradiol; Silver nanoparticle
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.11.016

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been reported to have antibacterial activities and cytotoxicity, resulting from the dissolved silver cation (Ag+) and its soluble complexes. However, to our knowledge, little has been reported about their potential use in degrading organic contaminants such as endocrine-disrupting compounds in aqueous solution. In this first report on the subject, we examined the effectiveness of the oxidative degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) in water by reactive oxygen species formed during the decomposition of H2O2, assisted by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized AgNPs. The dissolution of AgNPs accompanied generation of OH at low pH. The fully dispersed PVP-AgNPs in the presence of H2O2 exhibited fast degradation kinetics for EE2 at a typical aquatic condition of pH (6–7). The oxidation kinetics of BPA and EE2 by PVP-AgNPs can be interpreted using three different modeling approaches: an initial pseudo-first-order, a retarded first-order rate, and Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbery kinetic equation. The findings showed that AgNPs may have potential to facilitate the in situ oxidation for emerging contaminants in the aqueous environment. [Display omitted] •AgNPs-catalyzed degradation of BPA and EE2 was investigated.•BPA and EE2 were effectively removed with the proposed Fenton-like mechanism.•Solution pH and H2O2 had a significant effect on the degradation performance.