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Exploring the Bioelectrochemical Characteristics of Activated Sludge Using Cyclic Voltammetry
Dena Z Khater1, K M El-Khatib2, Rabeay Y A Hassan3
1Chemical Engineering & Pilot Plant Department, National Research Centre (NRC), El-Tahrir Street, Dokki, Cairo, 12311, Egypt.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|June 19, 2017
Summary
Activated sludge microbial communities catalyze bio-oxidation of organic matter. The redox mediator 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) enhances extracellular electron transfer to electrodes, improving electrochemical signals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Electrochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Activated sludge is crucial for wastewater treatment.
- Bioelectrochemical systems offer novel applications in environmental monitoring and remediation.
- Understanding microbial electron transfer is key to optimizing these systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bioelectrochemical responses of activated sludge.
- To evaluate the impact of incubation time and electrode material on signal output.
- To assess the role of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) as a redox mediator in enhancing electron transfer.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a three-electrode system to measure bioelectrochemical responses.
- Performing cyclic voltammetry to analyze oxidation current.
- Comparing glassy carbon and carbon paste electrodes.
- Investigating the effect of the redox mediator DCIP on electrochemical signals.
Main Results:
- Oxidation current increased with activated sludge incubation time (5, 25, and 39.33 μA after 3, 72, and 96 h).
- Switching from glassy carbon to carbon paste electrode boosted the signal from 0.3 to 3.72 μA.
- DCIP significantly amplified the oxidation current from 2.1 to 19.9 μA.
Conclusions:
- Activated sludge microbial communities act as biocatalysts for organic substrate bio-oxidation.
- DCIP functions as a mobile electron carrier, facilitating electron transfer from microbial cells to the electrode.
- The presence of DCIP enhances extracellular electron transfer from biofilms, improving bioelectrochemical system performance.
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