Co-substrate strategy for improved power production and chlorophenol degradation in a microbial fuel cell. (26th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Yang; Ndayisenga, Fabrice; Yu, Zhisen; Zhao, Mingyue; Lay, Chyi-How; Zhou, Dandan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 36(2019)
• Page Start: 20312
• Page End: 20322
• Publication Date: 2019-07-26
• Subjects: Microbial fuel cell -- Co-substrate -- Anode respiring bacteria -- Extracellular electron transfer -- Power production; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.05.221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: A co-substrate strategy has the potential to contribute toward minimizing the poisoning of refractories on the anode respiring bacteria (ARB), which is a necessity for microbial fuel cell (MFC) to recover energy from toxic wastewater. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. This study employed 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as target refractory pollutant and acetate as co-substrate. The co-substrate could stimulate 4-CP sensitive extracellular electron transfer (EET) enzymes' activity under 4-CP stress, such as succinate dehydrogenase (complex II) and cytochromes c OmcA and OmcB. For the microbial community, ARB were still abundant during 4-CP toxification; Azospirillum and Dechloromonas were enriched to conduct aromatic ring breakage and dechlorination. Thus, a 4.3-fold increased power generation was achieved, and the 4-CP and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals increased by ∼42% and ∼53%, respectively. An easy-to-degrade substrate could improve power re-coverage from refractory wastewater by enhancing EET enzyme activity and optimizing the microbial community. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Co-substrate strategy was applied to recover energy from refractories via a MFC. Both power generation and chlorophenol removal were promoted by the co-substrate. Co-substrate contributes enhanced the activation of EET pathway enzymes. With co-substrate, 4-CP degrading genera were enriched and ARB cells could survive.