Accelerated azo dye removal by biocathode formation in single-chamber biocatalyzed electrolysis systems

Biocatalyzed electrolysis systems (BES) have been the topic of a great deal of research. However, the biocathodes formed in single-chamber BES without extra inocula have not previously been researched. Along with the formation of biocathodes, the polarization current increased to 1.76 mA from 0.35 mA of abio-cathodes at −1.2 V (vs. SCE). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results also indicated that the charge transfer resistance (Rct) was decreased to 148.9 Ω, less than 1978 Ω of the abio-cathodes cleared. The performance of the biocathodes was tested for azo dye decolorization, and the dye removal efficiency was 13.3 ± 3.2% higher than abio-cathodes with a 0.5 V direct current (DC) power supply. These aspects demonstrate that biocathode accelerates the rate of electrode reaction in BES and comparing with noble metal catalysts, biocathodes have low toxicity or non-toxic and reproducible properties, which can be widely applied in bioelectrochemical field in the future.