ABSTRACT
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most versatile and eco-friendly molecules as it is reduced to water and oxygen. A dual chamber microbial electrochemical system with the bacteria Shwanella peutrifascians was used as a microbial peroxide producing cell for the oxidative depolymerization and dye decolorization purposes. They consisted of electrodes made of carbon cloth in the anode whereas, the cathode electrode was made of stainless steel mesh. The net volume of the system was approximately 70 mL, combining both the anode and the cathode volume. The anode consisted of synthetic media, whereas, the catholyte consisted of 50 mM sodium sulphate at pH 3. The maximum OCV was around 190 mV on the 3rd day of operation and the maximum H2O2 concentration was around 110 mM. The system was run in a batch cycle for a period of 5 days. Once the system was established for H2O2 production, the dyes were added in the same set of systems, for testing of dye decolonization. The dyes used were, crystal violet, methylene blue and azo-dye Eriochrome Black-T. The present set up of MPPC resulted in successful decolorization of these dyes. It can also be useful method for in-situ depolymerization of different classes of aromatic polymer by oxidative means in the cathode.
