LACCASE-MODIFIED CATHODE ENHANCES POLYETHER WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS VIA AN ELECTRO- FENTON PROCESS

摘要

In this study, a dual-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) was constructed to treat polyether wastewater for the first time. With laccase-modified cathode, the degradation rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the wastewater from the cathode chamber achieves 68.1% at a pH of 4.0 within 24 h, 69.8% higher than that of unmodified carbon felt cathode (40.1%), indicating a favorable approach to promoting polyether wastewater treatment. We also find the proposed MFC-electro-Fenton technology generates more electricity with the maximum output voltage of 548 mV and produces the maximum H2O2 concentration of 3.14 mg L-1, 9.6% and 25.6% higher than those of unmodified carbon felt cathodes, respectively. Modification of the cathode in MFC with laccase is promising for the degradation of polyether wastewater.