Impact analysis of operating conditions on carbon dioxide reduction in microbial electrosynthesis: Insight into the substance utilization and microbial response.

ABSTRACT

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is facing a series of problems including low energy utilization and production efficiency of high value-added products, which seriously hinder its practical application. In this study, a more practical direct current power source was used and the anaerobic activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants was inoculated to construct the acetic acid-producing MES. The operating conditions of acetic acid production were further optimized and the specific mechanisms involving the substance utilization and microbial response were revealed. The optimum conditions were the potential of 3.0 V and pH 6.0. Under these conditions, highly electroactive biofilms formed and all kinds of substances were effectively utilized. In addition, dominant bacteria (Acetobacterium, Desulfovibrio, Sulfuricurvum, Sulfurospirillum, and Fusibacter) had high abundances. Under optimal conditions, acetic acid-forming characteristic genera (Acetobacterium) had the highest relative abundance (Biocathode-25.82 % and Suspension-17.24 %). This study provided references for the optimal operating conditions of MES and revealed the corresponding mechanisms.