Next-Gen bioelectrochemical wetlands for onsite treatment: Compact MFC-embedded baffled wetland supercharged by rGO-emulated metcoke and waste coagulant.

This research investigated a novel 60 L baffled-hybrid constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) integrating metallurgical coke (Metcoke) and coagulation sludge as bed materials to optimize pollutant removal and bioelectricity recovery. Among four bed material arrangements, the hybrid matrix of Metcoke and coagulant sludge achieved superior chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction of 94.35 ± 5.16 %, total phosphorus removal of 92.43 ± 2.51 %, and total nitrogen removal of 82.20 ± 5.40 %. The system demonstrated robust bioelectricity production with a maximum power density of 24.97 mW/m, facilitated by improved microbial adhesion and electron transfer processes. Furthermore, adaptability trials with sulfamethoxazole-contaminated hospital wastewater and methylene blue dye effluent exhibited removal efficiencies of 79.65 ± 5.09 % and near-complete degradation, respectively, confirming the reactor's efficacy across complex wastewater matrices. This integrated CW-MFC configuration provides an economical and sustainable approach for decentralised wastewater treatment coupled with concurrent energy recovery, particularly suited for resource-limited settings.