Treating Wastewater Using Bacteria and Solar Energy

A newly developed device can treat wastewater using bacteria and solar energy while generating electricity.

Researchers from universities and institutes in the UK and Egypt collaborated to create an intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) photoanode-based solar-driven photo-bioelectrochemical cell (s-PBEC) that can optimize the performance of microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) by increasing the extracellular electron transfer (EET).

The study published in the journal waters detailed how the team developed their s-PBEC using a 2D cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) heterojunction photocatalyst, which they deposited on a 3D carbon foam anode and later on colonized by electrochemically active bacteria that functions as biocatalysts.

According to their findings, the current density of the S-PBEC with the ICPB anode increased when exposed to light. Under similar conditions, the anodic biofilm’s microbial community composition changed as unclassified genera from Neisseriales, Betaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria thrived with photocatalysis.

The researchers concluded that EABs capable of a high EET rate are favored during the process. They are also deemed effective against recalcitrant organic pollutants, making them effective in treating wastewater.

Read the full article here to learn more about the development of these solar-powered cells.

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