Electrochemical micro-structuring of graphite felt electrodes for accelerated formation of electroactive biofilms on microbial anodes

Electroactive biofilms were formed on graphite felt anodes under constant potential polarisation using compost leachate as the inoculum and dairy waste as the substrate. A new surface treatment is presented that consists of creating micro-cavities on the electrode surface by strong anodisation. This surface treatment, combined with pre-adsorption of the dairy waste, proved very efficient in accelerating the formation of electroactive biofilms and increasing the current values up to 1600 mA/m2 for dairy waste oxidation.

► High potential anodisation creates micro-cavities on the fibbers of graphite felt. ► Micro-cavities accelerate the formation of electroactive biofilms. ► Micro-cavities and pre-adsorption of the substrate have a synergetic effect.