Effect of set potential on hexavalent chromium reduction and electricity generation from biocathode microbial fuel cells

Liping Huang, Xiaolei Chai, Guohua Chen, Bruce E. Logan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

173 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Setting a biocathode potential at ?300 mV improved the subsequent performance of an MFC for Cr(VI) reduction compared to a control (no set potential). With this set potential, the startup time was reduced to 19 days, the reduction of Cr(VI) was improved to 19.7 mg/L d, and the maximum power density was increased to 6.4 W/m3compared to the control (26 days, 14.0 mg/L d and 4.1 W/m3). Set potentials of ?150 mV and ?300 mV also improved system performance and led to similarly higher utilization of metabolic energy gained (PMEG) than set potentials of +200 mV and ?450 mV. We observed putative pili at ?150 and ?300 mV potentials, and aggregated precipitates on bacterial surfaces in both poised and nonpoised controls. These tests show that there are optimal potentials that can be set for developing a Cr(VI) biocathode.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5025-5031
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume45
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

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