Insight into the inhibition mechanisms of Ca-, N-, S-containing compounds on persistent organic pollutant formation from the thermal reaction of anthracene on copper chloride

Four inhibitors (CaO, CaS, CH 4 N 2 S, and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ) were employed to inhibit the formation of multiple unintentional persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) using anthracene as a precursor, with CuCl 2 serving as both a transition metal catalyst and chlorine source. The inhibition mechanisms were elucidated in terms of chlorine immobilization, catalyst deactivation, and free radical regulation. The inhibition efficiency of the four inhibitors on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) ranged from 64.7 % to 98.4 %, with the corresponding inhibition rates on toxic equivalency quantity ranging from 86.3 % to 99.7 %. The distribution of homologs shifted towards less chlorinated species, indicating effective suppression of chlorination. Calcium- and nitrogen-containing compounds consumed chlorine sources by forming CaCl 2 , CaClOH, and NH 4 Cl, while sulfur-containing compounds deactivated catalysts by forming CuSO 4 . EPFRs derived from anthracene were identified as carbon-centered anthracene-type and anthraquinone-type radicals. Positive correlations were observed between POPs and EPFRs concentrations, suggesting the pivotal role of organic free radicals as intermediates in POPs formation. Anthraquinones derived from anthracene underwent decomposition, recombination and chlorination, leading to the formation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The addition of inhibitors reduced EPFRs concentrations by 74.2–95.1 %. Sulfur- and nitrogen-containing inhibitors generated radicals that attacked POPs precursors and intermediates, forming heteroatomic compounds and inhibiting POPs formation. These findings enhanced the understanding of the source control mechanisms of POPs and provided theoretical and technical support for the synergistic inhibition of POPs and EPFRs in industrial thermal processes.