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

Mn-Zn ferrite (Mn 0.6 Zn 0.4 Fe 2 O 4 ) 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 Mn 0.6 Zn 0.4 Fe 2 O 4 catalyst was investigated by cycling experiments, which indicates Mn 0.6 Zn 0.4 Fe 2 O 4 is stable and can be reused. This work also provides an alternative way for the reutilization of spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries.