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The study investigated the nitrogen removal enhancement mechanism of a biochar/GO-modified denitrifying biocathode in a microbial fuel cell, achieving high removal efficiencies of NO3--N and total nitrogen. The biochar/GO modification enhanced electron acceptor capacity and facilitated microorganism enrichment. The modified electrode outperformed control groups in terms of voltage and nitrogen removal efficiency.

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System
MFC

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Abstract

In this study, the nitrogen removal enhancement mechanism of the walnut shell biochar/GO-modified electrode in microbial fuel cell denitrifying cathode was discussed through chemical tests and functional potential prediction analysis of the microbial community. The study revealed that the removal efficiency of NO 3 - -N achieved 96.40 ± 4.48%, and the total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was 70.19 ± 13.29% in BC180, significantly outperforming the control group (CC) and other loading groups. Additionally, its average maximum voltage (124.91 ± 7.38 mV) exceeded other groups. FTIR and SEM analyses demonstrated that abundant redox-active functional groups (phenolic hydroxyl, quinone) on biochar's surface significantly enhanced electron acceptor capacity (EAC) of the cathode (932.39 μmol g -1 ) and facilitated the enrichment of microorganisms. Moreover, biochar/GO also improved the electrochemical performance of the modified electrode. High throughput sequencing analysis indicated biochar/GO modification enriched multiple denitrifying bacteria. The relative abundance of typical electroactive bacteria (Thauera, Geobacter) at anode also increased. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the relative abundance of pathways associated with electron transfer (Biosynthesis of siderophore group nonribosomal peptides, Ubiquinone, flagellar assembly) and key genes involved in the nitrogen metabolism (narG, nirS, and nod) in BC180 were both increased. These research results suggest that biochar/GO can efficiently regulate electrons to the nitrate reduction by regulating the microbial communities and the electron transfer pathways, potentially offering alternative strategies for optimizing denitrification at low-carbon nitrogen ratios.

Keywords

Biochar/GOElectron transferLow C/N wastewaterMicrobial community structureMicrobial fuel cellNitrate reduction

Identifiers

PubMed
41679058
Journal
Journal of environmental management
Year
2026