Simultaneous enhancement of power generation and phosphorus removal in microbial fuel cell using Iron-Carbon composite anode.

To simultaneously enhance electricity generation and phosphorus removal in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), iron-carbon composite anodes were developed using high-purity iron sheets and Fe2O3 particles. The results indicated that the Fe/Fe2O3 ratio was the key determinant of MFC performance, with the 2:1 anode achieving the highest phosphorus removal efficiency and superior electricity generation, representing increases of 46.95% and 24.29% compared with the control, respectively. Fe2O3 promoted the enrichment of iron-reducing bacteria, thereby alleviating the passivation of iron sheets and mitigating the decline of Fe2+ release. The sustained Fe2+ not only facilitated efficient phosphorus removal through the synergistic effect of vivianite-dominated chemical precipitation and biological phosphorus uptake but also promoted the enrichment of electroactive microorganisms and extracellular electron transfer, driving high electricity generation. These findings suggest that iron-carbon composite anodes can effectively enhance both the electrochemical performance and phosphorus removal efficiency of MFCs.