Efficient conversion of bicarbonate (HCO3−) to acetate and simultaneous heavy metal Cr(VI) removal in photo-assisted microbial electrosynthesis systems combining WO3/MoO3/g-C3N4 heterojunctions and Serratia marcescens electrotroph.

• WO 3 /MoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 and Serratia marcescens catalyze Cr(VI) removal and acetate production. • Photo-generated electrons increase the rates of HCO 3 − and Cr(VI) reductions. • Photo-generated holes increase the circuital current. • Higher circuital currents improve Cr(VI) removal and acetate production. The removal of the hazardous heavy metal Cr(VI) in water and the simultaneous production of acetate from the reduction of inorganic carbon (HCO 3 −) is demonstrated in a photo-assisted microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system incorporating WO 3 /MoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 Z-scheme heterojunctions and Serratia marcescens Q1 electrotroph cathode. The rates of acetate production (6.1 ± 0.3 mg/L/h) and Cr(VI) removal (4.5 ± 0.1 mg/L/h) recorded at a circuital current of 2.8 ± 0.1 A/m2 were 2.4-fold (acetate production), 1.7-time (Cr(VI) removal) and 1.6-fold (circuital current) of those in the controls recorded in the absence of WO 3 /MoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 , and 1.6-fold (acetate production) and 1.8-time (circuital current) of those in the absence of both Cr(VI) and WO 3 /MoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4. Photogenerated WO 3 /MoO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 conduction bands electrons favored both direct or indirect (via S. marcescens) reductions of Cr(VI) and H+, with the latter producing H 2 which was further metabolized by S. marcescens with HCO 3 − to yield acetate. The higher circuital current drawn under photoirradiation conditions refilled the photo-generated valence band holes in the semiconductor and provided the driving force for the reduction reactions. This study provides an alternative and feasible approach for achieving complete removal of toxic heavy metal from water and industrial waters with simultaneous conversion of inorganic carbon to key block chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]