A nanostructured Co3O4/BiVO4 composite photoanode was synthesized using a facile electrospinning method and applied to photoelectrochemical (PEC) degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) with the assistance of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Results show that PMS obviously enhanced the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of BPA by the Co3O4/BiVO4 composite photoanode. When at 0.25 V bias potential and visible light irradiation, with 2 mmol·L-1 PMS addition, 96% of BPA was removed within 2 h, and the corresponding kinetic constant was 0.4714 min-1. The effects of initial PMS concentration and bias potential on the BPA degradation were studied. Results show that BPA could be efficiently degraded at lower PMS concentrations and lower bias potentials. SO4·- and·OH were identified as the primary free radicals using an electron spin resonance spectrometer. Free radical quenching experiments were carried out, and the photogenerated hole, SO4·-, and·OH proved to be responsible for the BPA oxidation. There was no metal ion leaching detected in the solution after the reactions, which means the secondary pollution could be avoided.
Keywords: BiVO4; Co3O4/BiVO4 photoanode; bisphenol A; peroxymonosulfate; photoelectrocatalytic.