Effect of denitrifying bacteria on the electrochemical reaction of activated carbon fiber in electrochemical biofilm system

Abstract

An electrochemical-activated denitrifying biofilm system consisting of activated carbon fiber electrodes immobilized with denitrifying bacteria film as cathode was studied. A revised model for an electrochemical-activated denitrifying biofilm was developed and validated by electrochemical analysis of cathodal polarization curves and nitrate consumption rate. The cathodal polarization curve and nitrate consumption rate were introduced to verify the rate of electrochemical reaction and the activity of denitrifying bacteria, respectively. It was shown that the denitrification process effectively strengthened the electrochemical reaction while the electron also intensified denitrification activity. Electron was transferred between electrochemical process and biological process not only by hydrogen molecule but also by new produced active hydrogen atom. Additionally, a parameter of apparent exchange current density was deprived from the cathodal polarization curve with high overpotential, and a new bio-effect current density was defined through statistical analysis, which was linearly dependent to the activity of denitrification bacteria. Activated carbon fiber (ACF) electrode was also found to be more suitable to the electrochemical denitrifying system compared with graphite and platinum.