Removal of phenol and Bisphenol A by immobilized Laccase on poly (Acrylonitrile-co-Styrene/Pyrrole) nanofibers

Enzymatic oxidative polymerization of phenol and Bisphenol A (BPA) catalyzed by Laccase enzyme immobilized into poly (Acrylonitrile-co-Styrene/Pyrrole) nanofibers (AN-co-ST/Py) in an aqueous solution was investigated in a batch adsorption mode. The prepared poly (AN-co-ST/Py) copolymeric material was electrospun to nanofibers via electrospinning technique. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect the residual phenol and BPA in the aqueous medium after the removal process. Optimization of solution's pH, temperature, initial concentration of phenolic pollutants, and amount of adsorbent and agitation speed was investigated. The results showed that the removal of phenol and BPA by Laccase in the immobilized form was higher than that in the free form.The optimum removal by the immobilized form was achieved at these conditions (Temp: 50 degrees C, pH: 5, Agitation rate: 120 rpm, Contact time: 120 min).