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Electrochemical and sonoelectrochemical processes applied to the degradation of the endocrine disruptor methyl paraben

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Abstract

Methyl paraben is commonly employed as a preservative in pharmaceutical preparations, personal care products and some processed foods. However, the ester constitutes a potential pollutant in aquatic environments and has been classified as an endocrine disruptor. This study describes the degradation of methyl paraben (100 mg L−1 in 0.05 mol L−1 aqueous potassium sulfate at pH 5.7) by means of an electrochemical process (employing a boron-doped diamond anode) either alone or coupled with sonolysis. Electrolyses were performed at 25, 30 and 35 ± 1 °C during 120 min using applied constant current densities of 10.8 and 21.6 mA cm−2. The hybrid sonoelectrochemical processes were conducted under similar conditions with the application of ultrasound at a frequency of 20 kHz and a power intensity of 523 W cm−2. Although mineralization of methyl paraben could be achieved using either process, in comparison with the electrochemical method, the hybrid technique showed a higher mineralization efficiency (around 60 %) with approximately 50 % removal of total organic carbon, thereby confirming the synergistic effect of sonolysis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Brazilian research funding agencies the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Federal Agency for the Support and Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES) for financial support. The authors also thank the BioCiTec/IQSC/USP for the liquid chromatographic determinations made in multiuser LC–MS equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Avenida Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, SP, 13566-590, Brazil

    J. R. Steter, D. Dionisio, M. R. V. Lanza & A. J. Motheo

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  1. J. R. Steter
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  2. D. Dionisio
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  3. M. R. V. Lanza
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  4. A. J. Motheo
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Correspondence to A. J. Motheo.

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Steter, J.R., Dionisio, D., Lanza, M.R.V. et al. Electrochemical and sonoelectrochemical processes applied to the degradation of the endocrine disruptor methyl paraben. J Appl Electrochem 44, 1317–1325 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-014-0742-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-014-0742-7

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