Effect of interferents and operational features on the degradation of endocrine disruptors

• Grant number: 16/04825-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Artur de Jesus Motheo
• Grantee: Dawany Dionisio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/19662-1 - Preservatives degradation: coupling processes, organic interfering effect and scale-up, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

In recent years, new methodologies have been studied to improve the removal of organic pollutants from water. The parabens represent an important class of endocrine disruptor chemicals that are partially refractory to conventional wastewater treatments. These compounds have antimicrobial activity and they are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Preservative blends commonly combine parabens with Diazolidinyl Urea (DU) and Propylene Glycol (PG), for a broad spectrum of action. Although DU is not an endocrine disruptor, it belongs to a special class of allergens known as formaldehyde-releasing agents, which are also harmful to human health. The aim of this project is to study electrochemical method coupled with different oxidation processes to degrade a proof molecule (in this case methyl paraben (MeP)), in the absence and presence of interferents (DU and PG) from aqueous electrolytic solutions. Coupling electrochemical with photochemical and/or sonochemical processes will result on different pathways for the production of oxidant species. To evaluate the influence of operational features, such as flow and electrode material, on reaction mechanism, different experimental setups will be used. By-products will be analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, high-pressure liquid chromatography, total organic carbon, and identified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Coupling processes should improve the efficiency of contaminants removal, however the complete conversion of organic matter in CO2 and H2O might not occur. Thus, it is important to assess the influence of applied processes on reaction mechanism, since harmful substances can also be produced. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DIONISIO, DAWANY; SANTOS, LUCAS H. E.; RODRIGO, MANUEL A.; MOTHEO, ARTUR J.. Electro-oxidation of methyl paraben on DSA (R)-Cl-2: UV irradiation, mechanistic aspects and energy consumption. Electrochimica Acta, v. 338, APR 1 2020. (16/04825-2, 17/20444-1, 16/19662-1, 17/10118-0)

DIONISIO, D.; MOTHEO, A. J.; SAEZ, C.; RODRIGO, M. A.. Effect of the electrolyte on the electrolysis and photoelectrolysis of synthetic methyl paraben polluted wastewater. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 208, n. SI, p. 201-207, JAN 8 2019. (16/04825-2, 16/19662-1)

DIONISIO, DAWANY; MOTHEO, ARTUR J.; SAEZ, CRISTINA; CANIZARES, PABLO; RODRIGO, MANUEL A.. Coupling Ultrasound to the Electro-Oxidation of Methyl Paraben Synthetic Wastewater: Effect of Frequency and Supporting Electrolyte. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 6, n. 4, p. 1199-1205, FEB 15 2019. (16/04825-2, 16/19662-1)

DIONISIO, DAWANY; MOTHEO, ARTUR J.; SAEZ, CRISTINA; CANIZARES, PABLO; RODRIGO, MANUEL A.. Competitive Anodic Oxidation of Methyl Paraben and Propylene Glycol: Keys to Understand the Process. CHEMELECTROCHEM, v. 6, n. 3, p. 771-778, FEB 1 2019. (16/04825-2, 16/19662-1)

DIONISIO, DAWANY; RODRIGO, MANUEL A.; MOTHEO, ARTUR J.. Electrochemical degradation of a methyl paraben and propylene glycol mixture: Interference effect of competitive oxidation and pH stability. Chemosphere, v. 287, n. 3, JAN 2022. (17/10118-0, 16/19662-1, 16/04825-2, 17/20444-1)

DIONISIO, D.; MOTHEO, A. J.; SAEZ, C.; RODRIGO, M. A.. Effect of the electrolyte on the electrolysis and photoelectrolysis of synthetic methyl paraben polluted wastewater. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 208, p. 7-pg., 2019-01-08. (16/04825-2, 16/19662-1)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DIONISIO, Dawany. Interfering effect of organic compounds on the treatment of synthetic wastewater, containing parabens, by electrochemical processes. 2019. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC/BT) São Carlos.