The effect of anode potential on current production from complex substrates in bioelectrochemical systems: a case study with glucose

• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10547-6
• Publication Date: 2020-04-04T17:04:18Z
• Authors: Fei Zhao; Elizabeth S. Heid...; Thomas P. Curtis; Jan Dolfing
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Environmental Biotechnology; Glucose; Bacteria; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Wastewater; Geobacter; Electrodes; 6. Clean water

Abstract Anode potential can affect the degradation pathway of complex substrates in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), thereby influencing current production and coulombic efficiency. However, intricacies behind this interplay are poorly understood. This study used glucose as a model substrate to comprehensively investigate effect different anode potentials (− 150 mV, 0 mV + 200 mV) on relationship between production, electrogenic abundance microorganisms involved batch mode fed BESs. Current glucose-acclimatized reactors was function Geobacteraceae availability acetate formate produced by degradation. increased high during acclimation (0 mV), likely due more developing. much weaker than stimulus from an artificial supply: rate-limiting intermediate these systems. The supply could not be influenced potential; altering flow regime, time management upstream fermentation processes may greater engineering tool BES. findings suggest that if is focus, it will extremely difficult achieve success with waste streams such domestic wastewater.