Disinfection performance and mechanism of the carbon fiber-based flow-through electrode system (FES) towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria

The disinfection performance of a carbon fiber-based flow-through electrode system (FES) towards Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and fecal coliform) and Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis) in normal saline was systematically investigated over a wide range of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electrochimica acta 2020-05, Vol.341, p.135993, Article 135993
Main Authors: Ni, Xin-Ye, Liu, Hai, Xin, Lei, Xu, Zi-Bin, Wang, Yun-Hong, Peng, Lu, Chen, Zhuo, Wu, Yin-Hu, Hu, Hong-Ying
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Anodizing
Bacteria
Carbon fiber felt
Carbon fibers
Cell membranes
Chlorine
Coliforms
Deactivation
Disinfection
E coli
Electrochemical disinfection
Electrodes
Gram-negative bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria
Oxidation
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Summary:The disinfection performance of a carbon fiber-based flow-through electrode system (FES) towards Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and fecal coliform) and Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis) in normal saline was systematically investigated over a wide range of applied voltages (1–5 V) and hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (1–10 s). It was revealed that the Gram-negative bacteria were more vulnerable to FES for their thinner cell walls, and over 6.5 log removal (no live bacteria detected) was achieved at the applied voltage of 2 V and HRT of 2 s; while Gram-positive bacteria were inactivated at slightly higher voltages (3 V, 2 s) or longer HRTs (2 V, 5 s). Bacterial inactivation was attributed to the change and rupture of cell membrane mainly by anode direct oxidation without bacterial regrowth/reactivation. In addition, negligible generation of the free chlorine at low voltages (≤2 V) can avoid the formation of potential chlorinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Hence, FES can offer a potential alternative to conventional disinfection methods for bacterial inactivation in natural and contaminated water. [Display omitted] •Flow-through electrode system (FES) inactivated various bacteria below 3 V.•Carbon fiber felt (CFF) anode dominated the disinfection process.•The inactivation was attributed to the rupture of cell membrane.•Gram-negative bacteria were more vulnerable to FES than Gram-positive bacteria.
ISSN:0013-4686
1873-3859
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2020.135993