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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
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Multi-system Nernst-Michaelis-Menten model applied to bioanodes formed from sewage sludge
Mickaël Rimboud1, Elie Desmond-Le Quemener2, Benjamin Erable1
1Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CNRS - Université de Toulouse, 4 allée Emile Monso, 31432 Toulouse, France.
Bioresource Technology
|June 2, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed high-performance bioanodes from fermented sewage sludge, achieving significant current densities. Microbial analysis revealed Desulfuromonadales as key to the bioanode
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Bioanodes are crucial for microbial electrochemical technologies.
- Fermented sewage sludge offers a sustainable source for bioanode materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrochemical performance and microbial community of bioanodes derived from fermented sewage sludge.
- To elucidate the factors limiting current density and the role of specific microbial groups.
Main Methods:
- Bioanode fabrication via constant polarization of fermented sewage sludge.
- Electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
- Microbial community profiling using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing.
Main Results:
- High current densities of 9.3±1.2 A m⁻² were achieved with whole sludge.
- Bioanode kinetics were governed by the potential range of redox systems, not electron transfer rates.
- Desulfuromonadales dominated the microbial community and correlated with electrochemical performance.
Conclusions:
- Fermented sewage sludge is a viable material for high-performance bioanodes.
- Microbial community composition, particularly Desulfuromonadales, is critical for bioanode efficiency.
- Understanding redox system contributions is key to optimizing bioanode design.
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