Optimization of solar photocatalytic degradation conditions of bisphenol A in water using titanium dioxide

The photocatalytic degradation conditions of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A, BPA), a representative endocrine disruptor, in water using titanium dioxide were optimized under sunlight illumination. The effect of various factors, such as photocatalyst dosage, initial substrate concentration, temperature, pH and light intensity, on the photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A was investigated. The final degradation product was carbon dioxide, and the stoichiometric formation Of CO2 from aqueous bisphenol A solution was observed as the complete mineralization. The solar photocatalytic degradation treatment is simple, easy handling and cheap. Therefore, since the artificial lamp devices, for example Hg-Xe lamp, are particularly expensive in the local and nonexclusive areas, the proposed technique appears to be a very suitable method for the treatment of wastewater including bisphenol A in those areas. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.