Chlorine-free electrochemical disinfection using graphene sponge electrodes

Graphene sponge electrodes were employed for chlorine-free inactivation of Escherichia coli from low conductivity water. The nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) sponge anode bearing more positive charge achieved complete E. coli inactivation (i.e., 5 log removal) in the anode-cathode configuration at 115 A m(-2), versus 2.6 log removal using boron-doped reduced graphene oxide sponge anode. The bacteria were mainly inactivated via electrosorption and electroporation, as confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy. Storage of the electrochemically treated samples revealed further killing of the bacteria due to the damaged cell membranes. When using real tap water, 5.5 log E. coli removal required 5.70 kWh m(-3), which was drastically lowered to 1.38 kWh m(-3) using intermittent current and thus exploiting the capacitive properties of graphene. The developed graphene sponge anode does not form any chlorine, chlorate, or perchlorate, and holds great promise for efficient electro-disinfection without forming toxic disinfection byproducts.

Automated summary

Graphene sponge electrodes were utilized for chlorine-free inactivation of Escherichia coli from low conductivity water, achieving complete E. coli inactivation through electrosorption and electroporation, with additional killing of bacteria due to damaged cell membranes in stored electrochemically treated samples. The use of intermittent current significantly reduced energy consumption for E. coli removal in tap water, showcasing the potential of graphene for efficient electro-disinfection without the formation of toxic byproducts.