High-efficiency and low-energy degradation of acyclovir through peroxymonosulfate activation by microbial fuel cells

Electroactivation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to generate sulfate radicals (SO 4 • - ) is crucial in advanced oxidation processes for pollutant treatment. However, current research mainly relies on external power sources for PMS electroactivation (Electrochemically activated peroxymonosulfate system, EC/PMS), leading to high energy consumption and treatment costs. In this study developed a microbial fuel cell (MFC) coupled with electro-activated PMS system for acyclovir (ACV) degradation. The electroactive microorganism Geobacter sulfurreducens enriched on the anode surface exhibited rhythmic current generation. Anode-colonised G. sulfurreducens up-regulated genes associated with direct electron transfer compared to G. sulfurreducens grown in liquid medium. The MFC achieved a stabilized output voltage of 550 mV. After acclimatisation, the abundance of Geobacter on the anode surface reached 27.4 %, and the performance of the mixed-culture MFCs was improved with voltages up to 967.5 mV and anodic COD removal. Both systems exhibited optimal degradation conditions at pH= 4.0, 10 mg/L ACV, and 0.65 mmol/L PMS, where SO 4 • - and •OH synergistically contributed to ACV degradation, with SO 4 • - accounting for ∼55 % radical contribution. The MFC/PMS system demonstrated superior pollutant removal efficiency and energy utilization compared to conventional EC/PMS, offering a sustainable strategy for advanced water treatment. • Low energy consumption (1.43 kWh∙m −3 ) achieved by coupling MFC with PMS radical generation. • Achieve high efficiency ACV degradation with maximum k obs of 0.09 min −1 . • G. sulfurreducens nanowires enabled PMS activation via long-range electron transfer. • Bipolar MFC shields anode microbes from cathode ACV wastewater, enhancing power efficiency and stability.