Degradation of organic pollutants in a photoelectrocatalytic system enhanced by a microbial fuel cell.
Photocatalytic oxidation mediated by TiO(2) is a promising oxidation process for degradation of organic pollutants, but suffers from the decreased photocatalytic efficiency attributed to the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. Thus, a cost-effective supply of external electrons is an effective way to elevate the photocatalytic efficiency. Here we report a novel bioelectrochemical system to effectively reduce p-nitrophenol as a model organic pollutant with utilization of the energy derived from a microbial fuel cell. In such a system, there is a synergetic effect between the electrochemical and photocatalytic oxidation processes. Kinetic analysis shows that the system exhibits a more rapid p-nitrophenol degradation at a rate two times the sum of rates by the individual photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. The system performance is influenced by both external resistor and electrolyte concentration. Either a lower external resistor or a lower electrolyte concentration results in a higher p-nitrophenol degradation rate. This system has a potential for the effective degradation of refractory organic pollutants and provides a new way for utilization of the energy generated from conversion of organic wastes by microbial fuel cells.
Yuan
Shi-Jie
SJ
Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Sheng
Guo-Ping
GP
Li
Wen-Wei
WW
Lin
Zhi-Qi
ZQ
Zeng
Raymond J
RJ
Tong
Zhong-Hua
ZH
Yu
Han-Qing
HQ
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004573:Electrolytes; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010777:Photochemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D004573:Electrolytes; D009596:Nitrophenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C024836:4-nitrophenol