Next-Generation Per and Poly-Fluoroalkyl-Free Graphene Oxide Modified Cellulose Ether Charge Separator for Antibiotic Micropollutant Removal and Energy Recovery in Hospital Wastewater-Fed Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of pharmaceutical pollutants, especially antibiotics like ampicillin, in aquatic environments necessitates novel treatment approaches that integrate pollutant removal with resource recovery. Traditional PFAS-based membranes, such as Nafion, frequently used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), present environmental concerns due to their persistence and toxicity. This study introduces a graphene oxide (GO)-modified cellulose ether membrane, characterized by antifouling properties, as a PFAS-free alternative, and thoroughly evaluates its dual function of ampicillin elimination and bioelectricity generation from hospital wastewater. Physicochemical characterization revealed that the incorporation of GO improved membrane hydrophilicity and mechanical stability, leading to a 2.53-fold increase in tensile strength compared to pure cellulose ether, while concurrently reducing substrate crossing. In a MFC, the CEGO membrane facilitated increased microbial electroactivity and improved electron transfer, achieving a maximum current density of 86.6 mA c m⁻². This enhanced electrochemical performance, coupled with a columbic efficiency of 59.3%, was succeeded by a substantial ampicillin degradation of 96.2%, thereby underscoring the relationship between optimized proton transport and strengthened microbe-electrode interactions. Furthermore, the membrane exhibited operational stability under high-COD conditions typical of hospital wastewater, indicating considerable structural resilience and potential for extended application in sustainable wastewater treatment and energy recovery.