Redox mediator as cathode modifier for enhanced degradation of azo dye in a sequential dual chamber microbial fuel cell-aerobic treatment process

Khan, Mohammad Danish, Thimmappa, Ravikumar, Anwer, Abdul Hakeem, Khan, Nishat, Tabraiz, Shamas, Li, Da, Khan, Mohammad Zain and Yu, Eileen Hao (2021) Redox mediator as cathode modifier for enhanced degradation of azo dye in a sequential dual chamber microbial fuel cell-aerobic treatment process. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (79), 39427-39437. (doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.09.151).

Abstract

The electron transfer from cathode to azo dye Acid Blue 29 (AB29) using thionine (TH) and anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) redox mediators were investigated in dual chamber microbial fuel cells (DCMFCs). More than 90% of color was removed using electropolymerized TH (192 h) and AQS (264 h) cathodes. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal after anaerobic treatment in cathode chamber of TH-MFC, AQS-MFC and unmodified-MFC were 76.6 ± 1.7, 70.8 ± 2.5 and 18.3 ± 2.9%, respectively, which increased to 85.4 ± 1.5, 79.8 ± 3 and 20.6 ± 2.1%, respectively, after aerobic post treatment. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) investigations revealed the formation of aromatic amines in DCMFCs which were further degraded into low molecular-weight products in the aerobic post treatment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis showed lowest charge transfer resistance of TH-cathode which increased the electrochemical reactions and electron transfer rates. These results indicated that AB29 can be efficiently degraded by utilizing modified cathode based DCMFC-aerobic post treatment process along with bioelectricity generation.

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Contributors

Author: Mohammad Danish Khan

Author: Mohammad Zain Khan

Author: Eileen Hao Yu

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