Degradation of bisphenol A by electro-enhanced heterogeneous activation of peroxydisulfate using Mn-Zn ferrite from spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries.

Mn-Zn ferrite (Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4) was prepared by a gel method using spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries as raw materials and employed as catalyst to degrade bisphenol A (BPA) by electro-enhanced heterogeneous activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS). The effects of initial pH, current density, PDS concentration, and Mn-Zn ferrite dosage on BPA removal were investigated. The formation of reactive radicals was verified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The results of radical quenching experiments indicate that surface-bound sulfate and hydroxyl radicals played an important role in BPA removal. The stability of Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 catalyst was investigated by cycling experiments, which indicates Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 is stable and can be reused. This work also provides an alternative way for the reutilization of spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries.