Degradation of Diclofenac Sodium in Microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Diclofenac sodium is an extensively consumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for certain non-rheumatic diseases and frequently detected at surface water. This work we studied the degradation process of diclofenac sodium in an anodic chambers of microbial fuel cells. It was found that biodegradation of diclofenac sodium could be achieved in the microbial fuel cells, and the removal rate of diclofenac sodium was accelerated after bioelectrochemical activity microorganism acclimation. The highest removal rate can reach up to 30.73% after 2 weeks of operation. The results also showed that weak acid (pH=5.5) condition favour the degradation of diclofenac sodium, while low temperature condition inhibited its degradation. This work provided a new way to remove diclofenac sodium from wastewater.