Simultaneous processes of electricity generation and p-nitrophenol degradation in a microbial fuel cell

This study initially demonstrates that the electricity generated by a microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be used to in situ generate H2O2 at a carbon felt cathode. In the presence of scrap iron, H2O2 further reacts with Fe2+ to produce hydroxyl radicals. Attributed to the oxidation of H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals, and the oxidation–reduction of scrap iron, p-nitrophenol was significantly removed in the cathode chamber of the MFC. The p-nitrophenol was completely degraded after 12 h, and about 85% of TOC was removed after 96 h. Simultaneously, a maximum power density (143 mW m−2) was generated by the MFC. It is concluded that a MFC not only can generate electricity and degrade biodegradable compounds, but also remove bio-refractory pollutants.