A weak infrared light strengthens anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria activated sludge for the anaerobic biodegradation of polylactic acid in microbial fuel cell systems. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qi, Xiang; Tian, Enling; Ren, Yiwei; Wang, Xingzu
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 157(2018)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Microbial fuel cell systems -- Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria activated sludge -- Polylactic acid -- Infrared -- Bioelectricity -- Biodegradation; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2018.09.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Abstract: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems were considered as a promising bioelectricity-harvesting technology in recent decades. Polylactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable plastic, although widely explored, still presented amount of challenges in an anaerobic treatment system. This study explored that a weak infrared (IR) (850 nm) light emitting diode (LED) strengthened anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (APB) activated sludge for the anaerobic biodegradation of PLA in MFC systems. The results showed that MFC system with IR and PLA could generate a sustained bioelectricity and achieve the anaerobic biodegradation of PLA textiles based on bioelectrochemistry, FT-IR and SEM analysis. The microbial community structure analysis suggested that an APB consortium can be enriched using the MFC with IR illumination. Moreover, the existence of IR light could not only prevent algae growth in MFC system but also provide a feasibility for the practical engineering application. Graphical abstract: Highlights: IR coupled APB activated sludge for the anaerobic biodegradation of PLA in MFC systems. The MFC system with IR and PLA generated a sustained bioelectricity. The IR improved the growth of Rhodopseudomonas selectivity. The MFC system with IR light would prevent algae bloom.