![]() 5, 6 In recent years, BESs have been advanced particularly in system scaling up, and several large-scale systems have been investigated for treating various wastewaters. Researchers have used the electron flow to achieve hydrogen production (via hydrogen evolution reaction) in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), 3 drive desalination in microbial desalination cells (MDCs), 4 or synthesize value-added compounds in microbial electrosynthesis cells (MES). 2 This electron flow generates an electrical current or power when a load is added to the circuit. 1 In a typical BES such as a microbial fuel cell (MFC), microorganisms oxidize organics in the anode and transfer electrons to an anode electrode, which then transports electrons to a cathode electrode for reducing a terminal electron acceptor like oxygen. ![]() ![]() This paper aims to provide a concise view and discussion on the cathode-promoted wastewater treatment in BES, analyze challenges pertaining to the cathode treatment, and offer suggestions on the future development of BES for maximized treatment performance.īioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are dynamic systems that utilize the interaction between microbes and solid electron acceptors/donors (e.g., an electrode) to accomplish the removal of contaminants in wastewater with simultaneous electricity generation. The former involves electron transfer directly to reduce contaminants like nitrate or dye compounds, while the latter can accomplish contaminant removal by aerobic oxidation, algal growth, production of strong oxidants for advanced oxidation, and/or membrane treatment. This has been investigated in a number of approaches, which can be grouped into cathode-stimulated treatment and cathode-supported treatment. To enhance the treatment, BES cathodes may be used for additional treatment of selected contaminants. However, the treatment efficiency of BES anodes is limited and the anode effluent usually cannot be directly discharged or reused. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have been intensively studied as a new technology for wastewater treatment.
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