Open AccessCatalytic dechlorination of diclofenac by biogenic palladium in a microbial electrolysis cell
Author(s) -
Gusseme Bart De,
Soetaert Maarten,
Hennebel Tom,
Vanhaecke Lynn,
Boon Nico,
Verstraete Willy
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2011.00325.x
Subject(s) - diclofenac , effluent , chemistry , microbial electrolysis cell , catalysis , electrolysis , sewage treatment , environmental chemistry , wastewater , nuclear chemistry , waste management , organic chemistry , electrode , biochemistry , engineering , electrolyte
Summary Diclofenac is one of the most commonly detected pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and the receiving water bodies. In this study, biogenic Pd nanoparticles (‘bio‐Pd’) were successfully applied in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) for the catalytic reduction of diclofenac. Hydrogen gas was produced in the cathodic compartment, and consumed as a hydrogen donor by the bio‐Pd on the graphite electrodes. In this way, complete dechlorination of 1 mg diclofenac l −1 was achieved during batch recirculation experiments, whereas no significant removal was observed in the absence of the biocatalyst. The complete dechlorination of diclofenac was demonstrated by the concomitant production of 2‐anilinophenylacetate (APA). Through the addition of −0.8 V to the circuit, continuous and complete removal of diclofenac was achieved in synthetic medium at a minimal HRT of 2 h. Continuous treatment of hospital WWTP effluent containing 1.28 µg diclofenac l −1 resulted in a lower removal efficiency of 57%, which can probably be attributed to the affinity of other environmental constituents for the bio‐Pd catalyst. Nevertheless, reductive catalysis coupled to sustainable hydrogen production in a MEC offers potential to lower the release of micropollutants from point‐sources such as hospital WWTPs.