Simultaneous removal of Cu2+ and bisphenol A by a novel biochar-supported zero valent iron from aqueous solution: Synthesis, reactivity and mechanism.

In this study, a novel biochar-supported zero valent iron (BC-nZVI) was synthesized through a green method. A high performance on the simultaneous removal of Cu2+ and bisphenol A (BPA) by a combination of BC-nZVI with persulfate (BC-nZVI/PS) system was successfully achieved. The simultaneous efficiencies of Cu2+ and BPA could reach 96 and 98% within 60 min, respectively. Both HO• and SO4•- were two major reactive species in BC-nZVI/PS system, and SO4•- was primary radical responsible for the degradation of BPA. Four kinds of Cu species, such as Cu(OH)2, CuO, Cu2O and Cu0 were generated via the adsorption and reduction of the BC-nZVI, whereas six kinds of products of BPA including p-isopropenyl phenol and 4-isopropylphenol were generated via the combined oxidation of SO4•- and HO•. The possible reaction mechanism for the simultaneous removal of Cu2+ and BPA by BC-nZVI/PS system contained a synergistic effect between the reduction of Cu2+ and the oxidation of BPA. This is the first report on the feasibility of the remediation of coexistence of heavy metal and organic compound in aquatic environment using the BC-nZVI/PS system.