Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes enhance microbial electrolysis cell for the degradation of mixed VOCs: performance, electron transfer, and microbial cooperation.
AI summary
75% confidenceThis MEC study investigates Microbial community, Microbial electrolysis cell, Mixed VOCs. The research focuses on system optimization and characterization.
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Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) severely impact human health and ecosystems, making effective removal technologies crucial. This study constructed a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) using in situ synthesized nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube-modified carbon cloth (N-CNTs/CC) electrodes, which significantly enhanced VOCs degradation. N-CNTs reduced bioenergetic charge transfer impedance by 21.68 %, and their 3D conducting network, combined with electroactive microorganisms, promoted both direct and flavin-mediated indirect electron transfer. The system achieved 100 % removal of methyl methacrylate (MMA) within 6 h, 30.63 % higher than with carbon cloth electrodes. In mixed contaminants, MMA inhibited the degradation of other components. Meanwhile, selective enrichment of functional bacteria like Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter clarified microbial substrate response mechanisms. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed cytochrome-mediated direct electron transfer dominance. Under continuous flow with a 3-hour hydraulic retention time, complete MMA removal was achieved, showing strong engineering application potential. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing electrode strategies to advance energy-efficient waste treatment technologies.