Study of removal effect of bisphenol A and β-estradiol by porous carbon

Abstract

The adsorption properties of bisphenol A (BPA), suspected as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and β-estradiol (E2) were examined in this study. Based on the adsorption isotherm results, the adsorption amount of BPA increased as the carbonization temperature increased. The adsorption effect of a porous carbon carbonized at 400°C was minimal, while the adsorption effect of a porous carbon carbonized at 1000°C was significant. Although the adsorption effect of the activated carbon was also significant, that of activated carbon was lower than that of the 1000°C porous carbon in the low concentration range, while that of the activated carbon was higher than that of the 1000°C porous carbon in the high concentration range. The adsorption amount of E2 increased as the carbonization temperature increased. The adsorption effect of the activated carbon was midway between 700 and 1000°C. Porous carbon carbonized at 1000°C with a low surface polarity was more effective for the removal of EDCs from environmental water than activated carbon with a large pore volume. It is expected that the 1000°C porous carbon can be used with activated carbon, which has already been used in waste water treatment, in purification plants, etc.