Degradation Of Volatile Organic Compounds Research Articles

Study of Pt-modified chromium-manganese oxide alloys to improve the performance of toluene abatement

This research is dedicated to solving the environmental problems of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly aromatic chemicals in industrial emissions. The research aims to explore low-temperature, effective catalytic degradation technologies, specifically involving metal oxide and noble metal oxide catalysts, especially the Cr-Mn-Pt series catalysts. The Cr-Mn-Pt catalysts synthesized by the co-precipitation method showed efficient catalytic degradation of VOCs in low-temperature environments. The results of the experiment show that the Cr-Mn-Pt catalysts achieved 90 % toluene conversion at 198 °C, a 1000 ppm toluene concentration, and GHSV=15,000 mL/g·h, which is superior to single MnOx and Cr-Mn catalysts. The catalysts are characterized in depth using X-ray diffraction, specific surface area analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The result shows that the high specific surface area and large volume of pores of the Cr-Mn-Pt catalyst are advantageous for enhancing their catalytic activity and stability. The catalytic mechanism analysis shows that the degradation mechanism of toluene follows the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism with the final conversion of the intermediate product benzoate to CO2 and H2O. In summary, the Cr-Mn-Pt catalyst shows great potential in the technical treatment of VOCs due to their excellent low-temperature catalytic efficiency and stability, and it has enormous practical implications for protecting the environment in the industry.

Electrochemical biofilter enhances performance of volatile organic compounds abatement

ABSTRACT An electrochemical biofilter (EBF) was developed for enhancing the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through current. The removal efficiency (RE) of toluene exhibited a notable increase of 15% while the biomass growth rate exhibited a corresponding decline of 46% under an optimal current intensity of 50 mA. Meanwhile, the efficacy of the EBF system was markedly enhanced upon the removal of n-hexane, styrene, dichloromethane, and diisobutylene. The results indicated that there was an 11% to 49% increase in RE and a 0% to 64% reduction in biomass growth rates under the influence of the current. The current stimulation inhibited the accumulation of microorganisms, thereby alleviating biofilm clogging. The relative abundance of gram-positive phyla, including Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, increased by 15% and 23%, respectively, while the traditionally dominant genera within the Proteobacteria phylum, such as Rhodococcus and Dokdonella, exhibited a decline. In addition, the presence of hydrogen peroxide, free chlorine, and superoxides in the leachate indicated that the oxidative reaction increased in EBF system. This study provides an attractive pathway for current stimulation to enhance degradation of VOCs and alleviate biofilm clogging.

Efficient activation of the Co/SBA-15 catalyst by high-frequency AC-DBD plasma thermal effects for toluene removal

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma excited by a high-frequency alternating-current (AC) power supply is widely employed for the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, the thermal effect generated during the discharge process leads to energy waste and low energy utilization efficiency. In this work, an innovative DBD thermally-conducted catalysis (DBD-TCC) system, integrating high-frequency AC-DBD plasma and its generated thermal effects to activate the Co/SBA-15 catalyst, was employed for toluene removal. Specifically, Co/SBA-15 catalysts are closely positioned to the ground electrode of the plasma zone and can be heated and activated by the thermal effect when the voltage exceeds 10 kV. At 12.4 kV, the temperature in the catalyst zone reached 261 °C in the DBD-TCC system, resulting in an increase in toluene degradation efficiency of 17%, CO2 selectivity of 21.2%, and energy efficiency of 27%, respectively, compared to the DBD system alone. In contrast, the DBD thermally-unconducted catalysis (DBD-TUC) system fails to enhance toluene degradation due to insufficient heat absorption and catalytic activation, highlighting the crucial role of AC-DBD generated heat in the activation of the catalyst. Furthermore, the degradation pathway and mechanism of toluene in the DBD-TCC system were hypothesized. This work is expected to provide an energy-efficient approach for high-frequency AC-DBD plasma removal of VOCs.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of toluene on surface C- and CN-modified TiO2 microspheres

Surface modified TiO2 materials are widely used in photocatalytic environmental purification processes. The employment of solution might exert a discernible influence on the catalyst. In this study, we incorporated tetrahydrofuran (THF) and pyrrolidine (PY) during the hydrolysis of titanium butoxide (TBOT) to modify the surface of TiO2, successfully synthesizing surface C-modified TiO2 (THF-TiO2) and surface CN-modified TiO2 (PY-TiO2) catalysts. The assistance of THF and PY not only reduced agglomeration, but also increased the specific surface area of both catalysts, leading to the exposure of more active sites in TiO2 during the photocatalytic degradation of toluene. When compared to the unsatisfactory degradation of toluene (80%) and CO2 mineralization efficiencies (40–45%) observed using unmodified TiO2, the synthesized THF-50-TiO2 and PY-1-TiO2 microspheres demonstrated enhanced toluene degradation efficiency to 100% and 99.8%, respectively, and improved mineralization efficiencies to 76% and 80% after 120 min of ultraviolet irradiation. The experimental data and characterization results indicate that the surface-modified carbon species in THF-50-TiO2 facilitate the acceleration of electron-hole pair separation and suppress recombination. In contrast, partial nitrogen species introduced into the surface lattice of PY-1-TiO2 narrow its band gap and induce a visible light response. Overall, this study provides two methods to modify the surface of TiO2, which can be applied to prepare outstanding photocatalysts for possible application in the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that solution have a significant impact on the catalyst.

Boosting visible-light response for the complete decomposition of volatile organic compounds on the Cu-oxide deposited WO3 photocatalyst by the synergistic effects of TiO2

The degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by photocatalytic systems is the most practical strategy due to its cost performance, simplicity, and environmental sustainability. To address such issues, the photocatalytic activities of tungsten trioxide (WO3) were developed by the deposition of various cocatalysts. In particular, the Cu-oxide (CuO/Cu2O)-deposited WO3 (Cu-WO3) photocatalyst could efficiently decompose acetic acid and acetaldehyde into CO2 under visible-light irradiation, although it exhibited low activity for the decomposition of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX). Furthermore, a composite Cu-WO3/TiO2 photocatalytic system, which was fabricated by the simple physical mixing of Cu-WO3 with TiO2, was found to exhibit unprecedented reactivity for the complete decomposition of persistent BTX pollutants into CO2 under visible light irradiation. The synergistic effects of Cu-WO3 and the interfacial surface complex (ISC) formed by toluene-adsorbed TiO2 contribute to the efficient visible light response by excitation up to around 600nm. The reaction mechanism for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity by the Cu-WO3/TiO2 composite photocatalyst is examined in this study.

Performance and microbial community evolution of toluene degradation in the presence of acetone vapors using hybrid membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (HMABRs)

Biological treatment methodologies offer cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal, but they face limitations in effectively treating hydrophobic VOCs. Herein, this study introduces the Hybrid Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (HMABR) for VOC treatment. The HMABR integrates a bio-trickling filter-like spraying function with MABR technology to construct a non-submerge system. What’s more, introducing hydrophilic gases enhances the degradation of hydrophobic VOCs in pollutant biotreatment. While hydrophilic VOCs are readily degraded by microorganisms, the mechanisms of their co-degradation remain understudied. Toluene and acetone, common industrial VOCs, were examined in the HMABR system. HMABR exhibits outstanding toluene removal, reaching a maximum capacity of 142.04 gm−3h−1. The addition of acetone boosts this capacity by 70.1 gm−3h−1, altering EPS composition, and notably increasing the PN/PS ratio from 0.35 to 2.76. It can be inferred that acetone’s presence enhances biofilm EPS hydrophobicity, aiding toluene breakdown. Besides, when adding acetone, the biofilm EPS sample exhibited a more compact secondary protein structure. Analysis of the microbial community in the HMABR system identified a dominance of Pseudomonadota, with an increased abundance of Rhodanobacter, which correlated strongly with toluene degradation in the presence of acetone. Gene analysis revealed an increase in toluene degradation genes in Rhodanobacter when acetone was added. Furthermore, acetone activation was found to enhance metabolic pathways related to xylene degradation and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, thereby improving toluene removal efficiency. These findings provide insights into co-metabolism in treating hydrophobic pollutants in HMABR and contribute to designing more effective treatment systems for VOCs.

A novel photocatalytic mechanism of volatile organic compounds degradation on BaTiO3 under visible light: Photo-electrons transfer from photocatalyst to pollutant

A novel photocatalytic mechanism of volatile organic compounds degradation on BaTiO3 under visible light: Photo-electrons transfer from photocatalyst to pollutant

A well-engineered two-dimensional coral-like architecture CNWO3 for the effective removal of volatile organic compounds from indoor air

One of the promising strategies to enhance the photocatalytic performance of graphitic carbon nitride (CN) is to establish 2D photocatalysts with boosted morphology and adjusted charge transfer direction. Herein, a green and sustainable strategy (water used as solvent) is employed to fabricate a coral-like CNWO3 with highly desirable visible-light photocatalytic activity. The coral-like structure provides more atoms at the edges and corners to act as active antennae to enhance the photocatalytic activity. These new antennae generate various active sites that are short enough to drive strong visible light harvesting, while being large enough to prevent intense quantum confinement effects. Under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm), the as-prepared photocatalyst effectively removes gaseous acetaldehyde (90.5 %) and toluene (73.4 %), the two most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air, possibly due to its unique structure. The DFT calculations clearly show that the interaction of acetaldehyde and toluene over CNWO3 is energetically more favorable than that over CN. Both the hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide (O2−) that are generated by the photocatalyst play a substantial role in VOCs degradation. This work highlights the solar-active photocatalysis development using a synergy of morphology and material nature for sophisticated gas-phase reactions to effectively solve VOCs pollution issues of the indoor environment.

Analysis of Microwave Effects on the MnO2-Catalyzed Toluene Oxidation Pathway

Microwave radiation has become an effective catalytic combustion method, especially in the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene using catalysts like MnO2. In this study, a spine waveguide microwave reactor was designed to investigate the influence of different microwave processing conditions on the degradation of toluene catalyzed by MnO2. An experimental system for microwave-assisted catalytic degradation of toluene was established to explore the relationship between microwave power, catalyst conductivity, and toluene degradation rate. The results showed that the efficiency of MnO2 catalyzing toluene degradation had a nonlinear relationship with microwave power, first increasing to a peak and then decreasing. Additionally, the experiment found that the degradation rate of toluene was positively correlated with the conductivity of MnO2. Subsequent characterization analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further verified the changes in the microstructure and properties of MnO2 under microwave heating. The characterization results showed that with the increase in microwave power, the relative content of Mn3+ on the surface of MnO2 increased, and the relative content of adsorbed oxygen also increased accordingly. At a microwave power of 100 W, the treated MnO2 displayed the optimal ratio of manganese oxidation state and oxide, both close to 1:1, which was more conducive to the degradation of toluene. Based on these findings, this study hypothesized that the microwave-enhanced catalytic degradation of toluene by MnO2 may be attributed to changes in the surface electron transfer kinetics of MnO2, providing new insights into the field of microwave-enhanced catalysis.

Effect of the component and the concentration ratio on the removal of volatile organic compound mixtures by non-thermal plasma

The feasibility and efficiency of the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been extensive investigated and proved in laboratory experiments with single target component. In practical, multicomponent VOCs are emitted during industrial production. It is urgent need to study the abatement of multicomponent VOCs to evaluate the effectiveness of NTP technology in application, and explore the impact of interactions between VOCs components on degradation efficiency. This study focused on the degradation of VOCs mixtures composed of toluene (TOL), acetone (AC), and ethyl acetate (EA) by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in room temperature. Through changing the target gas in turn and the concentration ratio of additive gas in binary mixture, the influence of the composition and the concentration ratio of the additive gases on the target gas degradation have been investigated by comparing the decomposition of the single compound. The results showed that AC and EA had little or no inhibitory effect on degradation of TOL. When AC was added and degraded together with TOL, the degradation rate of TOL remained almost unchanged with slight fluctuations in the range of 75.3 ± 1.0% as the ratio of added AC increased. However, TOL significantly inhibited the degradation of EA and AC, and more seriously on AC. When the ratio of added TOL increased, the degradation rates of EA or AC changed from 41.1% or 34.5% to 29.8% or 12.2%, which were 11.3% or 22.3% reduced respectively. It is indicated that there was a mutual inhibitory effect between the AC and EA when they were degraded together, and a stronger inhibitory effect of EA on AC was observed. When the ratio of added AC to EA changed from 0:1 to 3:1, the degradation rate of EA decreased by 9.5%, from 49.8% to 40.3%. When the ratio of added EA to AC changed from 0:1 to 3:1, the degradation rate of AC decreased by 16.0%, from 37.9% to 21.9%.

Derivatives of Br-doped metal-organic framework for improved acetaldehyde adsorption-photocatalytic oxidation

Different Br-doped metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived (Brx@UiO-66) have been prepared by heat treatment using UiO-66 as the precursor. The experimental results showed that Br0.2@UiO-66 exhibited the best photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption performances toward acetaldehyde. In the dynamic system, the acetaldehyde removal rate and adsorption capacity of Br0.2@UiO-66 were 93.2 % and 230.59 mg/g, respectively. The improvement of the photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the presence of Br ions and CBr bonds, which facilitated the rapid separation of electrons and holes and the production of •O2−. In addition, Br0.2@UiO-66 had a better adsorption performance than 300UiO-66, mainly because of the increased Lewis acidity of the metal active sites due to Br doping. Radical capture experiments indicated that •O2− and e- were the primary active substances in acetaldehyde oxidation, and allowed establishing the possible mechanism of acetaldehyde oxidation. This work shows that MOFs can have high catalytic oxidation performances toward volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while retaining their adsorption capacity, and can be used for practical applications in the adsorption-catalytic integrated degradation of VOCs.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of styrene by g-C3N4 quantum dots/P25 nanocomposites

The enhancement of the visible light response of P25 is of significant importance for the photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQD) are nano-sized counterparts of g-C3N4, exhibiting excellent optical properties. Using a simplified hydrothermal one-step approach, CNQD-loaded P25 (CNQD/P25) was obtained in this work. Under visible light, CNQD/P25 achieved styrene degradation rate of 95 % within 240 minutes, surpassing the 60 % degradation rate of pure P25 under identical conditions. This indicates that the presence of CNQDs greatly enhances the photocatalytic performance of P25 in the visible light region. Further investigations revealed that CNQD/P25 exhibited noticeable enhancement in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, demonstrating increased visible light absorption. CNQD/P25 demonstrated higher photocurrent response, lower photoresistance, and weaker fluorescence response compared to P25 at similar conditions. Therefore, the presence of CNQDs can enhance visible light absorption of P25, increases the number of photo-generated electrons, optimizes charge separation efficiency, and simultaneously reduces the recombination rate of electrons and holes.

Design and optimization of CuCo-LDO catalysts via ZIF-67 sacrificial templates for enhanced toluene oxidation: A comprehensive study on morphology, structure, and catalytic activity

The investigation into the development of an active transition-metal oxide catalyst with controllable morphology for the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a subject of considerable importance and warrants further exploration. In this study, ZIF-67 was prepared and employed as a sacrificial template, with varying quantities of Cu ions incorporated to synthesize layered copper-cobalt double oxide (CuCo-LDO) featuring a modifiable surface state. A comprehensive characterization of the CuCo-LDO catalysts was conducted, encompassing structural properties, morphology, surface chemical state, and redox properties, utilizing a range of analytical techniques. Subsequent evaluations included testing the catalytic activity for toluene oxidation and assessing stability performance. The results revealed that differing Cu contents played a pivotal role in inducing changes in the morphology and structure of CuCo-LDO, thereby significantly influencing its oxidation activity towards toluene. Notably, the flower-like structure of 3CuCo-LDO (Cu% = 20.14 wt.%) exhibited outstanding toluene oxidation activity attributable to its unique structure and composition. This research contributes novel insights to the design of highs-performance catalysts targeting volatile organic compounds.

Towards optimizing the protocol for untargeted profiling of urine volatiles via gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry. A pilot study.

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in various biological samples holds immense potential for non-invasive disease diagnostics and metabolic profiling. One of the biological fluids that are suitable for use in clinical practice is urine. Given the limited quantity of VOCs in the urine headspace, it's imperative to enhance their extraction into the gaseous phase and prevent any degradation of VOCs during the thawing process. The study aimed to test several key parameters (incubation time, temperature, and thawing) that can influence urine volatilome and monitor selected VOCs for their stability. The analysis in this study was performed using a BreathSpec® (G.A.S., Dortmund, Germany) device consisting of a gas chromatograph (GC) coupled with an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS). Testing three different temperatures and incubation times yielded a low number of VOCs (9 out of 34) that exhibited statistically significant differences. However, examining three thawing conditions revealed no VOCs with statistically significant changes. Thus, we conclude that urine composition remains relatively stable despite exposure to various thermal stresses.

DFT evaluation the photo-catalytic performance of g-C3N4 dots/ZnO with O/S doping

To develop the high-performance g-C3N4-based photo-catalysts and understand the mechanism of photo-catalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we evaluated the photo-catalytic performance and corresponding catalytic mechanisms of g-C3N4 dots/ZnO (CNZO) systems using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results showed that the combination of g-C3N4 dots and ZnO monolayer has a appropriate band gap and strong visible light absorption, significantly enhancing photoelectron excitation and immigration. We also observed that O/S doping exerted a significant impact on the band structure and interfacial coupling, thereby increasing the number of photoelectrons that move from the valence band (VB) of ZnO monolayer to the conduction band (CB) of g-C3N4 dots, thereby enhancing the separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs in O/S-CNZO. Furthermore, the suitable CB and VB positions of O/S-CNZO encourage the adsorption of surface H2O and O2 molecules, leading to the generation of ·OH and ·O2− radicals crucial in VOCs degradation. This work introduces new approaches and perspectives for constructing novel photo-catalysts. Additionally, it involves a theoretical evaluation of the photo-catalytic performance of O/S-CNZO.

Unveiling the confinement and interface effect on low temperature degradation of toluene over mesoporous zeolite encapsulated Pt-CeO2 catalyst

The efficient degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low temperatures is urgently needed due to the serious environmental and health hazards they pose. While precious metal-based catalysts offer excellent performance, their application is limited by high-temperature sintering and aggregation. Therefore, inhibiting the migration and aggregation of precious metals during the reaction process can effectively improve their utilization and alleviate catalyst deactivation. In this study, a novel encapsulated catalyst (Pt-CeO@meso-S1) containing Pt-CeO2 interfaces was constructed using mesoporous-rich zeolite as a shell layer and applied to the catalytic oxidation of toluene. The introduction of CeO2 constructed a Pt-CeO2 active interface that promoted the low-temperature degradation of toluene, achieving complete oxidation of toluene at 160 ℃. The crystalline phase transition strategy enhanced the specific surface area, improving the dispersion of platinum and facilitating the construction of the Pt-CeO2 interface. The zeolite shell and mesoporous pores effectively confined/stabilized the Pt-CeO2 active components and inhibited platinum sintering, resulting in outstanding water resistance and high-temperature stability. DFT calculations demonstrated that the presence of the Pt-CeO2 active interfaces reduced oxygen vacancy formation energy and facilitated gas-phase oxygen activation. DFT calculations demonstrated that the presence of the Pt-CeO2 active interfaces reduces the oxygen vacancy formation energy and boosts the activation of gas-phase oxygen. The Mars-van-Krevelen (MvK) mechanism governing toluene degradation over Pt-CeO2@meso-S1 was revealed by in situ DRIFTS. This work provides a promising candidate for industrial high-performance catalytic removal of VOCs at low temperatures.

Unraveling the generation mechanism of singlet oxygen in Bi2WxMo1-xO6 solid solution and roles in photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene under visible-light irradiation

Photocatalytic degradation volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent an appealing strategy since the inexhaustible solar energy and facile reaction condition. In this work, a flower-like microsphere Bi2WxMo1-xO6 solid solution photocatalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs) were prepared via HTAB-assisted hydrothermal method. The mole ratio of W and Mo atoms were regulated by adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of their precursor. The optimized Bi2W0.25Mo0.75O6 presented outstanding photocatalytic performance with 96.8% of toluene degradation rate after 180 min of irradiation under visible light (>420 nm), which was 13.76 times higher than that of pure Bi2MoO6 and 10.32 times higher than that of pure Bi2WO6, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2W0.25Mo0.75O6 was attributed to the optimized band structure and efficient separation efficiency of carriers as well as the participation of singlet oxygen (1O2) radicals. Free radical trap experiments and electron spin resonance investigations revealed that 1O2, hydroxyl radical, and holes were the predominated reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in toluene degradation. Meanwhile, the generation of 1O2 was related to abundant OVs of Bi2W0.25Mo0.75O6 solid solution. This work suggested that solid solution with abundant OVs was an effective photocatalyst to improve the VOCs degradation activity under visible-light irradiation.

Density functional theory study the mechanism of oxygen-functionalized graphene to activate peroxymonosulfate for VOCs removal in aqueous solution

Utilization of carbon materials for persulfate activation has revolutionized advanced oxidation processes in effluent treatment. However, its potential volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal in gas phase remains an intriguing research area. In this research, the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated by graphene functionalized with diverse oxygen groups was investigated, and the corresponding performances for VOCs treatment were examined. Furthermore, the feasibility of employing various functionalized graphene/PMS systems for VOCs treatment by simulating a wet scrubber system was explored. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were served as a useful tool to comprehensively analyze the intricate chemical processes involved: the adsorption and the activation of PMS, as well as the adsorption and degradation of VOCs. The favorable activity of graphene materials incorporating ketone group was showcased in our findings, as evidenced by charge distribution trends, charge transfer during persulfate adsorption, and the lower energy barrier. The mechanism of employing functionalized graphene/PMS systems for effective VOCs treatment was shed light by this research, thereby contributing to the advancement of exhaust gas treatment methods.

Insight into recycling spent power ternary cathode materials: Towards preparation of Mn-based catalyst for efficient toluene removal

Both the resource utilization of spent power ternary lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by thermal catalytic oxidation are environmental concerns. In this study, a novel perspective is presented: the Mn-based composite metal oxide catalysts were synthesized via impregnation of spent ternary cathode materials for the thermocatalytic oxidative degradation of toluene gas. The results demonstrated that the optimal conditions for catalyst synthesis were a 2% Mn loading, a Co/Mn molar ratio of 0.4, and calcination at 500 ℃ for 6 h. The effectiveness of catalysts is determined by two inherent factors: the specific surface area and the presence of active sites on the surface. The degradation of toluene remained stable across various reaction environments, with the predominant degradation mechanism being Marks-Van-Kreven (MVK) model. The toluene undergoes oxygenation on the catalyst in this pathway, resulting in the formation of H2O, CO2, and intermediates containing benzene rings; and simultaneously, the catalyst is regenerated. The present study offers a valuable reference for the resource utilization of spent ternary LIBs and advances the development of catalysts for efficient degradation of VOCs.

Bottom-up construction and screening of algae-bacteria consortia for pollutant biodegradation.

Microbial communities have been used as important biological tools for a variety of purposes associated with agriculture, the food industry and human health. Artificial engineering of microbial communities is an emerging field of research motivated by finding stable and efficient microbial systems. However, the successful design of microbial communities with desirable functions not only requires profound understanding of microbial activities, but also needs efficient approaches to piece together the known microbial traits to give rise to more complex systems. This study demonstrates the bottom-up integration of environmentally isolated phototrophic microalgae and chemotrophic bacteria as artificial consortia to bio-degrade selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A high throughput screening method based on 96-well plate format was developed for discovering consortia with bioremediation potential. Screened exemplar consortia were verified for VOCs degradation performance, among these, certain robust consortia were estimated to have achieved efficiencies of 95.72% and 92.70% and near 100% removal (7 days) of benzene, toluene, and phenol, respectively, with initial concentrations of 100 mg/L. VOCs degradation by consortia was mainly attributed to certain bacteria including Rhodococcus erythropolis, and Cupriavidus metallidurans, and directly contributed to the growth of microalgae Coelastrella terrestris (R = 0.82, p < 0.001). This work revealed the potential of converting VOCs waste into algal biomass by algae-bacteria consortia constructed through a bottom-up approach. The screening method enables rapid shortlisting of consortia combinatorial scenarios without prior knowledge about the individual strains or the need for interpreting complex microbial interactions.