Intensified degradation and mineralization of antibiotic metronidazole in photo-assisted microbial fuel cells with Mo-W catalytic cathodes under anaerobic or aerobic conditions in the presence of Fe(III)

Abstract

A novel strategy to intensify the degradation and mineralization of the antibiotic drug metronidazole (MNZ) in water with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy was achieved in photo-assisted microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this system Mo and W catalytic species immobilized onto a graphite felt cathode intensified the cathodic reduction of MNZ under anaerobic conditions and the oxidation of MNZ under aerobic conditions. The aerobic oxidation process was further accelerated in the presence of Fe(III), realizing a combined photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs process. The highest rates of MNZ degradation (94.5 ± 1.4%; 75.6 ± 1.1 mg/L/h) and mineralization (89.5 ± 1.1%; 71.6 ± 0.9 mg/L/h), and power production (251 mW/m 2 ; 0.015 kWh/m 3 ; 0.22 kWh/kg COD) were achieved at a Mo/W loading of 0.18 mg/cm 2 with a Mo/W ratio of 0.17 : 1.0, in the presence of 10 mg/L of Fe(III) and at an incident photon flux of 23.3 mW/cm 2. Photo-generated holes were directly involved into the oxidation of MNZ under anaerobic conditions. Conversely, under aerobic conditions, the photo-generated electrons favored the production of O 2 •over •OH, while in the presence of Fe(III), •OH was predominant over O 2 •-, explaining the intensification of the MNZ mineralization observed. This study demonstrates an alternative and environmentally benign approach for the intensification of the removal of the antibiotic MNZ in water and possibly other contaminants of emerging concern by combining photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs in a single process with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy.

Emerging pollutants—Part II: Treatment

“…At present, the research of membrane treatment is mainly focused on optimizing the process and developing the combined process of membrane treatment and other processes (Fan, Luo, et al, 2019;Li, Zhang, Zeng, et al, 2019;Li, Zhang, Xia, Wang, et al, 2019;Li, Zhang, Hu, et al, 2019;Li, Sun, Zhang, Feng, et al, 2019;Li, Yuan, Gao, et al, 2019). Wang, Ying, Ma, Huo, and Yang (2019), Wang, Su, et al (2019), , Wang, Huang, Chan, and Zhang (2019), Wang, Cai, et al (2019), , Wang, Yin, Zeng, and Zhu (2019g), Wang, Qian, et al (2019), reported a microporous membrane, which was doped with microporous β-cyclodextrin polymer, for the removal of bisphenol A by flow-through process. The results showed that the removal rate of bisphenol A can reach more than 99.9% at the water flux of 300 L m −2 hr −1 and feed concentration of 50 mg/L.…”

“…Under the optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacities of MAPC for imipramine and amoxicillin were 59.8 and 7.7 mg/L, respectively, which was 332% and 681% higher than that of natural clay, respectively. Wang, Ying, et al (2019), Wang, Su, et al (2019), , , Wang, Cai, et al (2019), , Wang, Yin, et al (2019), Wang, Qian, et al (2019), ) synthesized a magnetic adsorbent derived from Broussonetia papyrifera leaves (MA-BPL). Then, they used MA-BPL to adsorb methylene blue in water.…”

“…It was also found that the mineralization of amoxicillin and metformin hydrochloride can reach more than 60%. Wang, Ying, et al (2019), Wang, Su, et al (2019), , , Wang, Cai, et al (2019), , Wang, Yin, et al (2019), Wang, Qian, et al (2019), ) synthesized polypyrene microspheres (PPMPs) by the emulsion copolymerization of pyrene and chloromethyl methyl ether. Then, they applied PPMPs as a new catalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B in aqueous solution.…”

“…Wang, Ying, Ma, Huo, and Yang (2019), Wang, Su, et al (2019), Wang, Wang, et al (2019), Wang, Huang, Chan, and Zhang (2019), Wang, Cai, et al (2019), Wang, Zhu, et al (2019), Wang, Yin, Zeng, and Zhu (2019g), Wang, Qian, et al (2019), Wang, Zhang, et al (2019) reported a microporous membrane, which was doped with microporous β‐cyclodextrin polymer, for the removal of bisphenol A by flow‐through process. The results showed that the removal rate of bisphenol A can reach more than 99.9% at the water flux of 300 L m −2 hr −1 and feed concentration of 50 mg/L.…”

“…Carbon adsorption is a method to remove pollutants by carbon adsorption materials (CAMs). CAMs mainly include activated carbon (AC), carbon nanotubes (CNs), graphene, biochar (Kumari, Alam, et al, 2019; Kumari, Tyagi, et al, 2019; Wang, Ying, et al, 2019; Wang, Su, et al, 2019; Wang, Wang, et al, 2019; Wang, Huang, et al, 2019; Wang, Cai, et al, 2019; Wang, Zhu, et al, 2019; Wang, Yin, et al, 2019; Wang, Qian, et al, 2019; Wang, Zhang, et al, 2019; Yaashikaa, Senthil Kumara, Varjani, & Saravanan, 2019). Some properties, including specific surface area, pore structure, and surface functional groups, have significant impacts on the adsorption capacity of CAMs (Xing et al, 2019; Zhang, Liu, et al, 2019; Zhang, He, et al, 2019; Zhang, An, et al, 2019; Zhang, Cao, et al, 2019; Zhao, Yan, et al, 2019; Zhao, Jian, et al, 2019).…”