Wood carbon electrode in microbial fuel cell enhances chromium reduction and bioelectricity generation

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a recommended treatment to remediate hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in wastewater. In this study, a wood carbon (WC) electrode was introduced in MFC to enhance the Cr(VI) removal efficiency. WC electrode in MFC completely removed Cr(VI) as compared to the carbon cloth (31.12%) and carbon felt (34.83) within 48 h of operation at 20 mg L⁻¹ of Cr(VI) concentration. The maximum power density of WC electrode was 62.59 mW m⁻² higher than 0.115 and 3.154 mW m⁻² of carbon cloth and felt respectively. The specific surface area of WC increased to 158.47 m⁻² g⁻¹ after high-temperature carbonization, and electrochemical tests indicate it has higher electrocatalytic ability. Therefore, WC might be a good electrode material to effectively remove Cr(VI) and generate bioelectricity simultaneously.