초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigates the potential opportunities of hydrogen evolution treating landfill leachate in a set of two microbial electrolysis cells (MEC-1 and 2) under 30 °C and 17 ± 3 °C temperatures, respectively. The system achieved a projected current density of 1000–1200 mA m<SUP>−2</SUP> (MEC-1) and 530–755 mA m<SUP>−2</SUP> (MEC-2) coupled with low cost hydrogen production rate of 0.148 L La<SUP>−1</SUP> d<SUP>−1</SUP> (MEC-1) and 0.04 L La<SUP>−1</SUP> d<SUP>−1</SUP> (MEC-2) at an applied voltage of 1.0 V. Current generation led to a maximum COD oxidation of 73 ± 8% (MEC-1) and 65 ± 7% (MEC-2) with ≥100% energy recovery. The system also exhibited a high hydrogen recovery (66–95%), pure hydrogen yield (98%) and tremendous working stability during two months of operation. Electroactive microbes such as <I>Pseudomonadaceae</I>, <I>Geobacteraceae</I> and <I>Comamonadaceae</I> were found in anodophilic biofim, along with <I>Rhodospirillaceae</I> and <I>Rhodocyclaceae</I>, which could be involved in hydrogen production. These results demonstrated an energy-efficient approach for hydrogen production coupled with pollutants removal.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Simulated landfill leachate was employed as substrate for H<SUB>2</SUB> production in MEC. </LI> <LI> The system showed a high H<SUB>2</SUB> recovery (66–95%) and pure H<SUB>2</SUB> yield (98%). </LI> <LI> Applied potential, temperature and organic load imparted clear affect on system efficiency. </LI> <LI> Low cost and pure H<SUB>2</SUB> yield was attained having less energy consumption. </LI> <LI> Anodophlic communities shared 33.7% of the total OTUs showing quite stable over time. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>