Effect of semiconductor materials on anaerobic methanogenesis of terephthalic acid: Promotion and inhibition mechanisms

Abstract

The treatment of purified terephthalic acid wastewaters via anaerobic methods poses a significant challenge due to the slow degradation rate and extended reaction time required for the most recalcitrant terephthalic acid (TA). To address this challenge, this study investigated the efficacy of various semiconductors in promoting TA degradation and determined their respective functional roles. Results showed that the addition of g‐C3N4 increased methane production by 28.38%, indicating its potential as a replacement for TiO2 in TA degradation. The improvement was attributed to the intensified direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) process, facilitated by microorganisms that directly utilize conductive TiO2/g‐C3N4 as intermediaries to accelerate the electron transfer rate. The unfavorable methanogenesis performances of CeO2 and Fe2O3 were accredited to agglomeration phenomena and toxic effects. This study provides insights into the roles of exogenous materials in promoting or limiting the DIET process, and offers an environmentally friendly and highly‐effective strategy for treating industrial purified‐terephthalic acid wastewater.