Performance of bioelectrode based on different carbon materials in bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion for methanation of maize straw

Abstract

The performance of the bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion (BEAD) reactor was investigated with different carbon material-modified electrodes for the methanation of maize straw. The carbon material-modified electrodes used titanium (Ti) mesh modified with carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon black (CB), and activated carbon (AC). The maximum cumulative methane production obtained in the Ti-CNT reactor was (616.4 ± 9.3) mL/g VS, while the maximum methane production rate in the Ti-AC reactor was (61.9 ± 1.0) mL/g VS.d.The electroactive bacteria were well enriched by the different electrodes, and the enriched electroactive bacteria further facilitate the direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) for methane production. Additionally, we found the phylum Firmicutes showed a linear relationship to methanogenic performance, as well as the Genus Proteiniborus. The Ti-CNT electrode shows better performance by the electrochemical analysis. These findings provide critical knowledge for the large-scale use of the BEAD process and the treatment of maize straw.

Keywords: Bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion; Carbon material; Electrode; Maize straw; Methane production.