Electrochemical activation of peroxymonosulfate with a boron-doped diamond anode boosts short-chain fatty acid production from waste activated sludge.
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75% confidenceThis study demonstrates the effectiveness of a boron-doped diamond anode coupled with peroxymonosulfate for enhancing short-chain fatty acid production from waste activated sludge. The integrated system achieved a maximal SCFA yield, 2.0-fold higher than the control, and optimized product composition. The electrochemical synergy generated reactive species, accelerating sludge solubilization and restructuring the microbial community.
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Abstract
Anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is a promising valorization strategy, yet it is often constrained by inefficient hydrolysis and the presence of contaminants. This study reports a synergistic electrochemical activation coupling a boron-doped diamond anode (BDD) with peroxymonosulfate (PMS), i.e., B/P, which enhances SCFA production and pollutant degradation. The integrated B/P system achieved a maximal SCFA yield, which was 2.0-fold higher than the control and significantly surpassed mono-pretreatments (BDD, PMS) and their sequential combination (B + P). Furthermore, it optimized product composition, increasing the proportion of high-value acetic acid by 2.7-fold. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the electrochemical synergy generated reactive species (e.g., •OH, SO 4 •⁻, 1 O 2 ), which profoundly accelerated sludge solubilization (supported by 10.7 times of SCOD produced by B/P relative to the sum of SCOD by mono-BDD and mono-PMS). Microbial analysis demonstrated that B/P pretreatment restructured the community to enrich key hydrolytic and acidogenic phyla. This was corroborated by the upregulation of genes associated with carbohydrate hydrolysis and acidogenesis, alongside the suppression of methanogenesis. Beyond SCFA enhancement, the B/P system also improved sludge dewaterability (24 % reduction in capillary suction time), efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole (62.7 %), and substantially transferred heavy metals from the sludge solids into the liquid phase (e.g., 71.8 % of total Cu was transferred from the solid phase to the supernatant). These findings highlight the B/P process as a multifunctional pretreatment for efficient sludge bioconversion, pollutant removal, and environmental risk mitigation.