Cited by 398Advanced oxidation water treatmentAdsorption and biosorption for pollutant removalEnvironmental remediation with nanomaterials

Degradation of p-Nitrophenol on Biochars: Role of Persistent Free Radicals

Yang, Jing, Pan, Bo, Li, Hao, Liao, Shaohua, Zhang, Di, Wu, Min, Xing, Baoshan·2016·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

Generation of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) on solid particles has recently attracted increasing research interest. EPFRs potentially have high reactivity and toxicity. However, the impact of EPFRs on organic contaminant behavior is unclear. We hypothesized that EPFRs in biochars can degrade organic contaminants and play an important role in organic contaminant behavior. We observed obvious degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) in the presence of biochars, through the detection of NO3(-) as well as organic byproducts. The extent of PNP degradation was correlated to the intensity of EPR signals of biochar particles. tert-Butanol (a •OH scavenger) did not completely inhibit PNP degradation, indicating that •OH could not fully explain PNP degradation. The decreased PNP degradation after tert-butanol addition was better correlated with reduced PNP sorption on biochars. PNP degradation through the direct contact with EPFRs in biochar particles could be an important contribution to the PNP concentration reduction in the aqueous phase. The coating of natural organic matter analogue (tannic acid) on biochars did not considerably inhibit PNP degradation, suggesting the ability of biochars to degrade PNP in soil and natural water. Similar EPFR-promoted degradation was observed for five different types of biochars and one activated carbon, as well as one additional chemical (p-aminophenol). Therefore, organic chemical degradation by EPFRs in biochars can be a common process in the environment and should be incorporated in organic chemical fate and risk studies.

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Crossref · 10.1021/acs.est.5b04042

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  • Reductive degradation of p-nitrophenol via EPFRs-induced electron transfer demonstrates an efficient, mild, and direct electron-delivery regime from EPFRs in biochars.

    “the reductive degradation of p-nitrophenol via EPFRs-induced electron transfer, demonstrating the efficient, mild, and direct electron-delivery regime from EPFRs in biochars.104”

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Authors
Yang, J., Pan, B., Li, H., Liao, S., Zhang, D., Wu, M., & Xing, B.
Affiliations
  • Kunming University of Science and Technology (CN)
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
Corresponding author
  • Pan, Bo
  • Xing, Baoshan
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2015-12-30
Volume
50
Issue
2
Pages
694-700
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2279675847
Cited by
398
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 58 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 4
FWCI
11.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • China Scholarship Council
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (41222025, 41273138)
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (MAS 00028)
  • Yunnan Province (2010CI109)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Advanced oxidation water treatment
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Environmental remediation with nanomaterials
Keywords
p-nitrophenol degradation, biochar, environmentally persistent free radicals, organic pollutant degradation, hydroxyl radicals, contaminant sorption, tannic acid coating, natural organic matter, activated carbon, 4-aminophenol, nitrate formation
MeSH terms
Charcoal, Free Radicals, Nitrophenols, Soil Pollutants, Water Pollutants, Chemical

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