Insights into the removal of Bisphenol A by catalytic wet air oxidation upon carbon nanospheres-based catalysts: Key operating parameters, degradation intermediates and reaction pathway

•Optimization of the synthesis conditions of the carbon nanospheres.•Ru supported over carbon nanospheres as highly active catalyst.•Catalytic wet air oxidation process for the efficient removal of BPA.•High catalytic stability was confirmed by two cycles of reuse.•Determination of reaction by-products and mechanism pathway were accomplished.