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The widespread occurrence of endocrine disruptor compounds in wastewater has garnered significant attention owing to their toxicity, even at low concentrations, and their persistence in the water body. Among various analytical techniques, electrochemical sensors become popular for the environmental monitoring of water pollutants due to their low cost, rapid detection, high sensitivity, and selectivity. In this study, the mesoporous Ni (MNi) material was synthesized with an innovative method using Pluronic™ F-127 as a soft template and applied as a modifier for the simultaneous electrochemical sensing of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), bisphenol A (BPA), and bisphenol S (BPS). MNi with high porosity efficiently enhanced the redox-active surface area and conductivity of the glassy carbon electrode contributing to a significantly improved sensitivity in the detection of target chemicals. The pore size and surface area of MNi were estimated based on atomic force microscopy and Brunauer Emmett and Teller techniques to be ∼14.2 nm and 31.1 m2 g−1, respectively. The limit of detection for HQ, CC, BPA, and BPS was determined to be 5.3, 5.7, 5.6, and 61.5 nM, respectively. The electrochemical sensor presented in this study holds promise as a platform for developing portable and miniaturized tools offering the rapid and sensitive detection of these hazardous phenolic compounds in environmental water samples. [Display omitted] • Mesoporous Ni (MNi) was synthesized at room temperature using PluronicTM F-127. • MNi-modified glassy carbon electrode (MNi/GCE) was prepared for electrochemical detection. • Four phenolic water pollutants were simultaneously detected in nanomolar scale. • Good recovery rates were achieved for environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an accurate method for the determination of alkyl phenols and bisphenol A at trace levels using gas chromatography mass spectrometry after preconcentration with switchable liquid-liquid microextraction. In order to achieve high extraction output, the environmentally friendly switchable liquid-liquid microextraction method was optimized by varying parameters such as amount of switchable solvent, sodium hydroxide concentration/amount and the mixing period in a Box-Behnken experimental design. Under optimum extraction conditions, the limits of detection calculated for the analytes were between 0.13 and 0.54 ng/mL. The analytes showed good linearity over broad calibration ranges, and low percent relative standard deviations established good precision. Spiked recovery studies were performed on municipal wastewater and tap water to determine the method's suitability and accuracy, and the results (87–106%) obtained were satisfactory. Bisphenol A was detected (4.0–14 ng/mL) in four plastic samples investigated under high temperature conditions. • Swichable liquid-liquid microextraction was optimized by a Box-Behnken experimental design. • Up to 114 folds enhancement in detection sensitivities was achieved. • The detection limits were between 0.13 ng/mL and 0.54 ng/mL. • Close to 100% recovery values were obtained for municipal wastewater and tap water. • Bisphenol A was detected in four samples at concentrations between 4.0 and 14 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation mechanisms of the main pyrolysis products of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) such as hydrogen bromide (HBr), bisphenol A compounds, and phenolic compounds were studied through using density functional theory (DFT) method at the theoretical level of B3P86/6-311 + G (d,p), and the effects of H and Br radicals on the formation mechanism of each product were analyzed. For the formation of each pyrolysis product, this paper presented various possible reaction pathways and acquired their thermodynamic parameters. Calculation results show that HBr can be produce. d continuously during the pyrolysis of TBBPA, and combination and abstraction reactions are the main ways for the generation of HBr. Br radical can abstract H atom from the phenolic hydroxyl groups of TBBPA to produce HBr, and this reaction is barrierless. When H radicals are involved in the initial reaction, the significance of the keto-enol tautomerism is negligible at all debrominations. The Br atom abstraction by H radical is the optimal pattern for debromination. TBBPA can be transformed into low-brominated bisphenol A through consecutive hydrodebromination reactions with trivial activation energies of 8.7–9.5 kJ/mol. The demethylation reaction is an initiation reaction for monomolecular pyrolysis of TBBPA and low-brominated bisphenol A, which is beneficial to the formation of phenolic compounds. During the pyrolysis of TBBPA, para -position Br atom of polybrominated phenol is easier to be removed and the energy barriers of rate-determining steps of the optimal reaction paths for the formation of 2,4,6-tribromophenol, 2,6-dibromophenol, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2-bromophenol, 4-bromophenol and phenol are 108.8, 7.6, 8.7, 8.1, 9.5, and 8.7 kJ/mol, respectively. [Display omitted] • The formation mechanisms of main pyrolysis products of TBBPA were studied using DFT method. • The Br atom abstraction by H radical is the optimal pattern for debromination. • HBr can be produced though abstraction of H atom from phenol hydroxy groups by Br radical. • TBBPA can be transformed into low-brominated bisphenol A with trivial activation energies of 8.7–9.5 kJ/mol. • The demethylation reaction is beneficial to the formation of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, phenolic compounds have been broadly exploited in the industries to be utilized in several applications including polycarbonate plastic, food containers, epoxy resins, etc. One of the major compounds in phenolics is Bisphenol-S (BPS) which has dominantly replaced Bisphenol-A in several applications. Phenolic compounds are extensively drained into the environment without proper treatment and cause several health hazards. Thus, to tackle this serious problem an electrochemical sensor based on SnO 2 /GCE has been successfully engineered to monitor the low-level concentration of BPS in water samples. The fabrication of SnO 2 nanoparticles (SnO 2 NPs) was confirmed through FTIR, XRD, and TEM to examine the size, crystallinity, internal texture, and functionalities of the prepared material. The fabricated material was exploited as a chemically modified sensor for the determination of BPS in water samples collected from different sources. Under optimal conditions such as scan sweep 100 mV/s, PBS electrolyte pH of 6, potential window (0.3–1.3 V), the proposed sensor manifested an excellent response for BPS. The LOD of the present method for BPS was calculated as 0.007 μM, respectively. Moreover, the stability and selectivity profile of SnO 2 /GCE for BPS in the real matrix was examined to be outstanding. [Display omitted] • Fabrication of SnO 2 NPs though aqueous chemical growth method. • Exploitation of SnO 2 NPs as sensor for the low-level detection of BPS. • Electrochemical characterization of SnO 2 /GCE were measured. • Selective determination of BPS in real water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the feasibility, reaction mechanisms, and potential of practical applications of a dual oxidant (DuOx) system comprising calcium peroxide (CP) and persulfate (PS) catalyzed using Fe(II) [PS/CP/Fe(II)]. The DuOx system was superior in phenol degradation to single oxidant systems, i.e., PS/Fe(II) or CP/Fe(II), with 95.5% phenol removal under an optimum condition of a phenol/PS/CP/Fe(II) molar ratio of 1/1/5/6 ([Phenol] 0 =0.5 mM). Based on scavenger studies and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, the phenol removal in the DuOx system was barrierless, with negative activation energy assisted by robust reactive species. The phenol degradation results in the presence of methanol, t -butanol, l -histidine, and NaN 3. The ESR spectroscopy indicates that phenol degradation is attributed dominantly to 1O 2 generated by recombining O 2 •− and radicals, such as hydroxyl (HO•) and sulfate (SO 4 •−). The performance of the DuOx system was highly efficient in pH 3–11, up to 10 mM Cl−, SO 4 2−, or NO 3 −, and up to 50 mg/L humic acids but was strongly suppressed by more than 10 mM HCO 3 − and H 2 PO 4 −. In addition, the DuOx system was efficient in phenol removal in natural groundwater as well as removing and mineralizing other phenolic compounds (PCs) such as bisphenol A, chlorophenol, dichlorophenol, trichlorophenol, and nitrophenol. These results provide insights into the reactions induced by the DuOx system and confirm its applicability of in situ chemical oxidation in refractory organic pollutants. [Display omitted] • Dual oxidant (CaO 2 /PS) system was highly efficient for phenolic compound degradation. • Both radical and nonradical ROS caused phenol degradation in PS/CP/Fe(II). • 1O 2 was dominant in organic pollutant degradation in PS/CP/Fe(II). • PS/CP/Fe(II) performance was excellent in natural groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strategy of W modification was applied to overcome the disadvantages of Ag 3 PO 4. Ultra-active Ag 3 PO 4 with different W doping ratios were successfully synthesized by facile chemical precipitation method, among which 0.5%W-AP showed the best results. Meanwhile, the stability and yield were enhanced. XRD, Raman and ESR etc. were employed to investigate the morphology, structure and optical properties of samples. It was proved W6+ entered into the Ag 3 PO 4 lattice, occupied the position of P5+ and doped in the form of WO 4 2−. The significant improvement of photocatalytic performance of W doped Ag 3 PO 4 was attributed to the change of morphology, the decrease of particle size, the increase of crystallinity, the shrink of band gap energy and the reduction of photo-induced carriers recombination rate with W doping. The photocatalytic mechanism analysis showed h+ was the main oxidative species in the photocatalytic process, •O 2 − and •OH played minor roles. Under visible light irradiation, the impacts of the important operating parameters on the typical phenolic pollutants, phenol and bisphenol A, were evaluated with 0.5%W-AP. It was confirmed that 68% and 82% of phenol and bisphenol A were respectively degraded within 15 min and 40 min under optimized photocatalytic parameters: 0.4 g/L catalyst dosage, 20 mg/L pollutant concentration, pH 5.7 and 125 mW/cm2 irradiation intensity, and the corresponding K′ were 2.14 and 5.50 times of undoped samples. This work provides a new approach for effective degradation towards phenolic pollutants by Ag 3 PO 4 with ultra-high photocatalytic activity, high applicability and enhanced stability and yield. [Display omitted] • W–Ag 3 PO 4 with varying W ratios were prepared by chemical precipitation method. • W–Ag 3 PO 4 exhibited the ultra-activity towards phenolic pollutants degradation. • h+ was the main oxidative species,.•O 2 − and •OH played minor roles. • Reasons were proposed for photocatalytic activity enhancement with W doping. • W–Ag 3 PO 4 displayed the improvement of applicability, stability and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the combination of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and hydroxylamine (HA) has been proposed as a green and efficient sulfate radical (▪)-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) for eliminating organic contaminants. However, we found that toxic nitrosated and nitrated aromatic compounds were generated during the treatment of phenolic compounds by PMS/HA system, indicating the involvement of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during the interaction of PMS with HA. Specifically, considerable production of p -nitrosophenol (p -NSP) and mononitrophenol were obtained when phenol was oxidized by PMS/HA system under various conditions. At the molar ratio between HA and PMS of 1.0 and pH 5.0, sum of the yields of p -NSP and nitrophenols reached their maxima (around 50%). Moreover, production of p -NSP was inhibited while that of nitrophenols was promoted when applied NH 2 OH 1/2H 2 SO 4 was replaced by NH 2 OH HCl, which was possibly related to the formation of secondary reactive species induced by the reaction of ▪ with chloride ion. Further, formation of undesirable nitrosated and nitrated aromatic products was obtained in the treatment of other phenolic compounds including acetaminophen, bisphenol A, and bisphenol S by PMS/HA system. Considering the toxicity of nitrosated and nitrated aromatic compounds, practical application of PMS/HA system for environmental decontamination should be scrutinized. [Display omitted] • p -NSP and NPs were generated in the treatment of phenol by PMS/HA system. • Sum of the yields of p -NSP and NPs reached around 50% at certain condition. • Chloride ion exerted an opposite effect on the production of p -NSP and NPs. • Nitro(so) products were formed in the treatment of AAP, BPA and BPS by PMS/HA system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution caused by tannery wastewater is an important issue in developing countries. Most studies have focused on inorganic chemicals represented by chromium as a tannery-related main pollutant. This is the first study in which pollution of water by tannery-related organic chemicals was assessed by a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses. Our quantitative analysis showed that the maximum concentration of total phenolic compounds (phenols), consisting of phenol, bisphenol F, p-cresol and chlorocresol, in canal water in a tannery built-up area in Bangladesh was >67-fold higher than the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) guideline value. Mapping of our results indicated tanneries as the sources of phenols pollution. Our original depurative, a hydrotalcite-like compound consisting of magnesium and iron (MF-HT), could adsorb all kinds of phenols and exhibited the highest phenol adsorption ability (115.8 mg/g) among reported hydrotalcite-like compounds. The levels of phenols in canal water samples were reduced to levels below the guideline value by using MF-HT with assistance of a photocatalytic reaction. Moreover, the mean level of chromium (112.2 mg/L) in canal water samples was decreased by 99.7% by using the depurative. Thus, the depurative has the potential for solving the problem of tannery-related water pollution by phenols and chromium. [Display omitted] • No data from qualitative and quantitative analyses of tannery-related organic pollution. • Phenol level in canal water that is 100-fold higher than the US-EPA guideline value. • Higher phenol removal ability (116 mg/g) of our original adsorbent of MF-HT in theory. • An MF-HT adsorbent with highest ability to remove Cr, a main pollutant in tanneries. • An effective adsorbent to remove both Cr and phenols from tannery wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the isotopic tracing using 13C-labeled phenol and bisphenol A was used to study their biodegradation during anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste. Microcosms were incubated anaerobically at 35°C (mesophilic conditions) and 55°C (thermophilic conditions) without steering. A continuous follow-up of the production of biogas (CH4 and CO2), was carried out during 130d until the establishment of stable methanogenesis. Then 13C12-BPA, and 13C6-phenol were injected in microcosms and the follow-up of their degradation was performed simultaneously by gas chromatography isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC–IRMS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Moreover, Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C-NMR) Spectroscopy is used in the identification of metabolites. This study proves that the mineralization of phenol to CO2 and CH4 occurs during anaerobic digestion both in mesophilic and thermophilic conditions with similar kinetics. In mesophilic condition phenol degradation occurs through the benzoic acid pathway. In thermophilic condition it was not possible to identify the complete metabolic pathway as only acetate was identified as metabolite. Our results suggest that mineralization of phenol under thermophilic condition is instantaneous explaining why metabolites are not observed as they do not accumulate. No biodegradation of BPA was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) represent a large group of substances of natural and anthropogenic origin. They are widely distributed in the environment and can pose serious risks to aquatic organisms and to public health. In this study, 4-n-nonylphenol, technical 4-nonylphenol, bisphenol A, 17α-ethinylestradiol, and triclosan were biodegraded by eight ligninolytic fungal strains (Irpex lacteus 617/93, Bjerkandera adusta 606/93, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 446, Phanerochaete magnoliae CCBAS 134/I, Pleurotus ostreatus 3004 CCBAS 278, Trametes versicolor 167/93, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus CCBAS 595, Dichomitus squalens CCBAS 750). The results show that under the used conditions the fungi were able to degrade the EDCs within 14d of cultivation with exception of B. adusta and P. chrysosporium in the case of triclosane and bisphenol A, respectively. I. lacteus and P. ostreatus were found to be most efficient EDC degraders with their degradation efficiency exceeding 90% or 80%, respectively, in 7d. Both fungi degraded technical 4-nonylphenol, bisphenol-A, and 17α-ethinylestradiol below the detection limit within first 3d of cultivation. In general, estrogenic activities assayed with a recombinant yeast test decreased with advanced degradation. However, in case of I. lacteus, P. ostreatus, and P. chrysosporium the yeast assay showed a residual estrogenic activity (28-85% of initial) in 17α-ethinylestradiol cultures. Estrogenic activity in B. adusta cultures temporally increased during degradation of technical 4-nonylphenol, suggesting a production of endocrine-active intermediates. Attention was paid also to the effects of EDCs on the ligninolytic enzyme activities of the different fungi strains to evaluate their possible stimulation or suppression of activities during the biodegradation processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Environmental phenols are a typical group of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and have caused growing concerns upon the potential adverse effects on humans. Urinary concentrations of phenols can be used as valid biomarkers for the assessment of human exposure. A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eighteen environmental phenols (six parabens, seven bisphenols, four benzophenones and triclosan) in human urine using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) coupled to high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The optimized LLE was time saving and required low volumes of organic solvents. A volume of only 0.2 mL urine sample was extracted and analyzed. The method yielded good linearity (0.9925–0.9994) and satisfactory limit of detection (LOD) (≤0.08 ng mL−1). The relative recoveries ranged between 76.7% and 116% at three spiked levels, with intra- and inter-day precision less than 8.04% and 13.5%, respectively. Our method has been proved to be simple, rapid and sensitive by a comprehensive comparison between methods. This proposed method provides a large-scale biomonitoring tool for exposure assessment of human population to environmental phenols. [Display omitted] • A method for the simultaneous determination of 18 phenols in urine was developed. • A volume of only 0.2 mL urine sample was required. • The optimized liquid-liquid extraction was time and organic solvents saving. • Comprehensive comparison proved that the method is simple, rapid and sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The photodegradation of endocrine disrupter bisphenol A (BPA) in the presence of natural humic substances (HS) under simulated solar irradiation was studied. BPA underwent slow direct photolysis in neutral pure water, but rapid photosensitized degradation in four kinds of HS, following pseudo-first-order reaction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed from HS were determined, including OH, 1O2 and H2O2. The enhancement of BPA degradation by adding Fe(III) was primarily attributed to the oxidation of OH produced from photo-Fenton-like reaction. And the joint effects of HS and nitrate ions coexisting on BPA degradation appeared to depend on respective concentration levels. The effects of dissolved oxygen suggested that the energy transfer between excited state of SRFA and NOFA likely occurred, while the abstraction of phenolic hydrogen atom to reactive triplet state of NOHA possibly took place. Based on the structural analyses of main intermediates and degradation products of BPA detected by GC–MS, the possible photodegradation pathways were proposed, involving the alky cleavage, alkyl oxidation and OH addition. This study gave a better understanding for the photochemical transformation of BPA induced by ROS generated from natural water composition under sunlight irradiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between changes of bacterial counts and bisphenol A (BPA) degradation in seawater under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and at temperatures of 4, 25, and 35°C. Water samples (seawater and river water) spiked with 1000ng/ml of BPA was placed for 60d. The BPA from water samples was extracted by OASIS HLB cartridges and was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. BPA in river water was degraded under aerobic conditions and was below a detection limit (0.5ng/ml) on the seventh day at both 25 and 35°C. The more the level of bacterial counts increased, the more BPA degradation decreased. In the case of seawater samples, there was no relationship between BPA degradation and the change of bacterial counts. Bacterial counts at 25 and 35°C increased rapidly at 5 and 3d, respectively, but decreased since then. The concentration of BPA was not changed for 30d at both 25 and 35°C, but decreased from 40 to 60d in spite of low levels of bacteria. These results show that the different degradation way for BPA in seawater may exist. Moreover, our study suggest that BPA in seawater than in river water can continue for longer time with no degradation and the possibility of BPA contamination on a marine organism can be higher than that on freshwater organism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Certain chemicals possess the potential to modulate endocrine systems, and thereby interfere with reproduction and developmental processes in the wild. We analyzed endocrine disrupters nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) levels at various sites in Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan. River-water samples showed undetectable to low concentrations of NP and BPA at most of the sites investigated. However, an appreciable amount of BPA was detected in sediments at one coral reef site. In addition, significant numbers of river sediment samples showed appreciable amounts of NP and BPA. Most of the sampling sites for this study are located within a distance of 1 km from the coral reefs, which are under influence of river-waters to a variable extent. Therefore, influence of endocrine disrupters may have already begun on adjacent coral reefs. Both endocrine disrupters were positively correlated with human population densities, but not with the contents of red soil generated by farm land reformation. Therefore, it is concluded that NP and BPA pollution is a consequence of human waste discharge, both domestic and industrial, and not by agricultural activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fifteen trace impurities, including a novel cyclohexene derivative, have been identified and quantified in samples of an industrial grade of the oestrogen-active compound 4,4′-isopropylidene diphenol (bisphenol A). All of these compounds, like bisphenol A itself, possess phenolic hydroxyl groups para to other substituents and all thus might also have oestrogenic properties. Published studies on the endocrine disrupting properties of bisphenol A have not considered potentially active impurities but full assessment of the oestrogenicity of bisphenol A, as it is used commercially, will become possible when adequate supplies of these compounds are available through synthesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A method has been developed and validated in order to assess the occurrence of the alkylphenols tert-octylphenol and the isomers of technical nonylphenol as well as bisphenol A in gasphase and aerosol samples of a remote area. Gasphase samples were adsorbed to XAD2 resin, aerosol samples were taken on glass fiber filters. After ultrasonic extraction, clean-up by column chromatography and silylation of the analytes, ten nonylphenol peaks were quantified separately using a GC-MSD-SIM method. The absolute limits of detection and determination are in the range of a few pg per compound, which is a prerequisite for the quantification of the analytes in relatively unpolluted air. The precision of the whole analytical method is in the range of 1–17% and the recoveries range from 57% to 80%. Problems were encountered during method development due to the tendency of the analytes to sorb to glass surfaces. Silanisation of glassware was crucial to achieve acceptable recoveries. The widespread use of the analytes in plastic resins resulted in sample contamination. For this reason a careful choice of sampling material was necessary. Measured concentrations in gasphase samples (lower nanogram per m3 range) and aerosol samples (upper picogram per m3 range) are one to three orders of magnitude below already published concentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A method was developed for studies of the phototransformation at UV irradiation of aqueous solutions of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tribromobisphenol A (TriBBPA), tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), 2,4-dichlorophenol at various pHs as well as 2-chlorophenol, 2-bromophenol, 3,4-dichlorophenol and bisphenol A at pH 11. The absorbance spectra of the compounds and the emission spectra of the light-source were determined and used to calculate disappearance quantum yields of the photochemical reactions that were taking place. No major differences between the disappearance quantum yields of TBBPA and TCBPA were observed at pH 10, while the disappearance quantum yield of TriBBPA was approximately two times higher. The rate of decomposition of TBBPA was six times higher at pH 8 than at pH 6. Identification of the degradation products of TBBPA and TriBBPA, by GC–MS analysis and by comparison to synthesised reference compounds, indicated that TBBPA and TriBBPA decompose via different mechanisms. Three isopropylphenol derivatives; 4-isopropyl-2,6-dibromophenol, 4-isopropylene-2,6-dibromophenol and 4-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-2,6-dibromophenol, were identified as major degradation products of TBBPA while the major degradation product of TriBBPA was tentatively identified as 2-(2,4-cyclopentadienyl)-2-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phenolic compounds bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) are the prime water contaminants. As reported, these compounds are some of the highly hazardous ones to the human and living species. In this study, T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite was synthesized employing hydrothermal method and the obtained composite samples were systematically characterized by FTIR, XPS, FE-SEM and HR-TEM studies. The FTIR, XPS analysis confirmed the successful surface modification of T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite. The FE-SEM morphology confirmed the formation of ZnO (arm length about 2.5 μm) tetrapod structured in synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite. The thickness of formed ZnO arm (0.44 μm) was increased after the polymer coating which confirmed the successful surface modification by PEI polymer. The HR-TEM images confirm the uniform coating of PEI polymer on T-ZnO-rGO surface. The catalytic activity and adsorption capacity of the synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite was successfully explored using 4-nitrophenol and bisphenol-A as model pollutants.T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite and found that 4-NP reduction reaction was completed within 10 min with the rate of 0.224 min−1. The BPA adsorption over T-ZnO-rGO-PEI exhibited high adsorption rate of 0.0210 min−1. In addition, the detailed 4-NP reduction and BPA adsorption mechanism was demonstrated. Hence the synthesized T-ZnO-rGO-PEI composite is a promising catalyst for the removal of micropollutants in aqueous medium. Image 1 • T-ZnO-rGO-PEI system were synthesized through hydrothermal combined calcination process. • T-ZnO-rGO-PEI catalyst was employed for the micropollutants removal in aqueous medium. • T-ZnO-rGO-PEI catalyst completes the reduction of 4-NP with the rate of 0.224 min−1. • T-ZnO-rGO-PEI catalyst exhibits the bisphenol A adsorption with the rate of 0.0210 min−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]