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Guo W, Chen Y, Cui L, Xu N, Wang M, Sun Y, Yan Y. Nano-hydroxyapatite/carbon nanotube: An excellent anode modifying material for improving the power output and diclofenac sodium removal of microbial fuel cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108523. [PMID: 37478753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Anode material and surface properties have a crucial impact on the performance of MFCs. Designing and fabricating various modified carbon-based anodes with functional materials is an effective strategy to improve anode performance in MFCs. Anode materials with excellent bioaffinity can promote bacterial attachment, growth, and extracellular electron transfer. In this study, positively charged nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) with remarkable biocompatibility combined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with unique structure and high conductivity were used as anode modifying material. The nHA/CNTs modified carbon brush (CB) exhibited improved bacteria adsorption capacity, electrochemical activity and reticular porous structure, thus providing abundant sites and biocompatible microenvironment for the attachment and growth of functional microbial and accelerating extracellular electron transfer. Consequently, the nHA/CNTs/CB-MFCs achieved the maximum power density of 4.50 ± 0.23 mW m-2, which was 1.93 times higher than that of the CB-MFCs. Furthermore, diclofenac sodium (DS), which is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug and is also a persistent toxic organic pollutant constituting a serious threat to public health, was used as the model organic pollutant. After 322 days of long-term operation, enhanced diclofenac sodium removal efficiency and simultaneous bioelectricity generation were realized in nHA/CNTs/CB-MFCs, benefiting from the mature biofilm and the diverse functional microorganisms revealed by microbial community analysis. The nHA/CNTs/CB anode with outstanding bioaffinity, electrochemical activity and porous structure presents great potential for the fabrication of high-performance anodes in MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yingying Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Cui
- Audit affairs Department, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahui Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhui Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Prudente M, Massazza DA, Procaccini RA, Rodríguez NA, Romeo HE. Flow-through laminar anodes with variable interlaminar distance to modulate the current density of urine-fed bio-electrochemical systems. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 151:108408. [PMID: 36871403 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) porous anodes used in urine-powered bio-electrochemical applications usually lead to the growth of electro-active bacteria on the outer electrode surface, due to limited microbial access to the internal structure and lack of permeation of culture medium through the entire porous architecture. In this study, we propose the use of 3D monolithic Ti4O7 porous electrodes with controlled laminar structures as microbial anodes for urine-fed bio-electrochemical systems. The interlaminar distance was tuned to modulate the anode surface areas and, thus, the volumetric current densities. To profit from the true area of the electrodes, urine feeding was performed as a continuous flow through the laminar architectures. The system was optimized according to the response surface methodology (RSM). The electrode interlaminar distance and the concentration of urine were selected as independent variables, with the volumetric current density as the output response to optimize. Maximum current densities of 5.2 kA.m-3 were produced from electrodes with 12 µm-interlaminar distance and 10 %v/v urine concentrations. The present study demonstrates the existence of a trade-off between the accesibility to the internal electrode structure and the effective usage of the surface area to maximize the volumetric current density when diluted urine is used as flowing-through feeding fuel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Prudente
- Nanostructured Polymers Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina; Bio-procesess and Interface Engineering Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Diego A Massazza
- Bio-procesess and Interface Engineering Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Raúl A Procaccini
- Applied Electrochemistry Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Nicolás A Rodríguez
- Ceramics Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Hernán E Romeo
- Nanostructured Polymers Division, Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), National Research Council (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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3
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Martínez-Castrejón M, López-Díaz JA, Solorza-Feria O, Talavera-Mendoza O, Rodríguez-Herrera AL, Alcaraz-Morales O, Hernández-Flores G. Environmental, Economic, and Social Aspects of Human Urine Valorization through Microbial Fuel Cells from the Circular Economy Perspective. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:2239. [PMID: 36557539 PMCID: PMC9785870 DOI: 10.3390/mi13122239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Population growth increases the challenge of meeting basic human needs, such as water, a limited resource. Consumption habits and water pollution have compromised natural resources to unsustainable levels. Sustainable effluent treatment practices, such as decentralized systems focused on energy, nutrients, and water recovery, have attracted the attention of the scientific community. Human urine (HU) is a physiological liquid waste whose main component is water (~95%). HU has a significant amount of nutrients, such as N, P, K, and organic matter, which are usually lacking in fecal coliforms. Therefore, the possibility exists of recovering nutrients and energy from HU using sustainable and non-sustainable technologies. Treating HU in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) is a novel alternative to obtaining byproducts from this effluent more sustainably than in electrochemical systems. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an interesting example, contributing to HU revalorization from unwanted waste into a valuable resource of nutrients, energy, and water. Even when urine-operated MFCs have not generated attractive potential outputs or produced considerable amounts of bioelectricity, this review emphasizes HU advantages as nutrients or water sources. The aim of this review was to analyze the current development of BES for HU treatment based on the water circular economy, discussing challenges and perspectives researchers might encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Martínez-Castrejón
- Centro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco C.P. 39640, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Jazmin A. López-Díaz
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Omar Solorza-Feria
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Department of Chemistry, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación C.P. 07360, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Oscar Talavera-Mendoza
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - América L. Rodríguez-Herrera
- Centro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco C.P. 39640, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Osbelia Alcaraz-Morales
- Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Juárez No. 38 Interior. C.U. Zona Norte, Chilpancingo C.P. 39000, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Giovanni Hernández-Flores
- CONACYT-Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex Hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
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4
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James A. Ceramic-microbial fuel cell (C-MFC) for waste water treatment: A mini review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 210:112963. [PMID: 35217013 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical system that utilizes the activity of electrogenic bacteria to generate electricity. When wastewater is used as feed in MFC, its organic constituents are hydrolyzed and oxidized by the bacteria. Hence, this technology is a source of clean electricity while simultaneously treating wastewater. Over the years much research has been done to improve its efficiency as well as to reduce the cost of implementation and functioning. However, scalability and commercialization of this technology still faces several challenges. This mini review discusses the use of ceramics in MFCs using wastewater feed as a method of overcoming the current technological challenges. Ceramics can be used as separators, chassis or electrode, conferring facile chemical and structural stability. The material is low-cost, environment-friendly and easily available. Studies reporting stacked configurations have been mentioned, and those that have reported field studies and technology oriented practical applications. Critical analysis of the scalability of the use of ceramics for the dual purpose of electricity generation as well as wastewater treatment has been done in this review. Future research directives towards potential sustainable commercialization have also been mentioned. C-MFC is a promising technology and the primary aim of this review is to help enhance the knowledge base for the optimization of use of ceramics in MFC to achieve large-scale clean electricity generation and sewage treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anina James
- Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, Dwarka Sector 3, Delhi, 110078, India.
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5
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Sharma R, Kumari R, Pant D, Malaviya P. Bioelectricity generation from human urine and simultaneous nutrient recovery: Role of Microbial Fuel Cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133437. [PMID: 34973250 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Urine is a 'valuable waste' that can be exploited to generate bioelectricity and recover key nutrients for producing NPK-rich biofertilizers. In recent times, improved and innovative waste management technologies have emerged to manage the rapidly increasing environmental pollution and to accomplish the goal of sustainable development. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted the attention of environmentalists worldwide to treat human urine and produce power through bioelectrochemical reactions in presence of electroactive bacteria growing on the anode. The bacteria break down the complex organic matter present in urine into simpler compounds and release the electrons which flow through an external circuit generating current at the cathode. Many other useful products are harvested at the end of the process. So, in this review, an attempt has been made to synthesize the information on MFCs fuelled with urine to generate bioelectricity and recover value-added resources (nutrients), and their modifications to enhance productivity. Moreover, configuration and mode of system operation, and factors enhancing the performance of MFCs have been also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozi Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Rekha Kumari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation & Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Piyush Malaviya
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
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6
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Lawan J, Wichai S, Chuaypen C, Nuiyen A, Phenrat T. Constructed sediment microbial fuel cell for treatment of fat, oil, grease (FOG) trap effluent: Role of anode and cathode chamber amendment, electrode selection, and scalability. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 286:131619. [PMID: 34346343 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
For wastewater treatment, sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) have advantages over traditional microbial fuel cells in cost (due to their membrane-less structure) and operation (less intensive maintenance). Nevertheless, the technical obstacles of SMFCs include their high internal electrical resistance due to sediment in the anode chamber and slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the cathode chamber, which is responsible for their low power density (PD) (0.2-50 mW/m2). This study evaluated several SMFC improvements, including anode and cathode chamber amendment, electrode selection, and scaling the chamber size up to obtain optimally constructed single-chamber SMFCs to treat fat, oil, and grease (FOG) trap effluent. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, PD, and electrical energy conversion efficiency concerning theoretically available chemical energy from FOG trap effluent treatment (%ECWW) were examined. Packing biochar in the anode chamber reduced its electrical resistance by 5.76 times, but the improvement in PD was trivial. Substantial improvement occurred when packing the cathode chamber with activated carbon (AC), which presumably catalyzed the ORR, yielding a maximum PD of 109.39 mW/m2, 959 times greater than without AC in the cathode chamber. This SMFC configuration resulted in a COD removal efficiency of 85.80 % and a %ECWW of 99.74 % in 30 days. Furthermore, using the most appropriate electrode pair and chamber volume increased the maximum PD to 1787.26 mW/m2, around 1.7 times greater than the maximum PD by SMFCs reported thus far. This optimally constructed SMFC is low cost and applicable for household wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesada Lawan
- Research Unit for Integrated Natural Resources Remediation and Reclamation (IN3R), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Sustainability of Health, Environment, and Industry (SHEI), Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Siriwan Wichai
- Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Choopong Chuaypen
- Department of Mechanical of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Aussanee Nuiyen
- Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Tanapon Phenrat
- Research Unit for Integrated Natural Resources Remediation and Reclamation (IN3R), Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Sustainability of Health, Environment, and Industry (SHEI), Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
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7
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Larsen TA, Riechmann ME, Udert KM. State of the art of urine treatment technologies: A critical review. WATER RESEARCH X 2021; 13:100114. [PMID: 34693239 PMCID: PMC8517923 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2021.100114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, urine treatment technologies have developed from lab studies of a few pioneers to an interesting innovation, attracting attention from a growing number of process engineers. In this broad review, we present literature from more than a decade on biological, physical-chemical and electrochemical urine treatment processes. Like in the first review on urine treatment from 2006, we categorize the technologies according to the following objectives: stabilization, volume reduction, targeted N-recovery, targeted P-recovery, nutrient removal, sanitization, and handling of organic micropollutants. We add energy recovery as a new objective, because extensive work has been done on electrochemical energy harvesting, especially with bio-electrochemical systems. Our review reveals that biological processes are a good choice for urine stabilization. They have the advantage of little demand for chemicals and energy. Due to instabilities, however, they are not suited for bathroom applications and they cannot provide the desired volume reduction on their own. A number of physical-chemical treatment technologies are applicable at bathroom scale and can provide the necessary volume reduction, but only with a steady supply of chemicals and often with high demand for energy and maintenance. Electrochemical processes is a recent, but rapidly growing field, which could give rise to exciting technologies at bathroom scale, although energy production might only be interesting for niche applications. The review includes a qualitative assessment of all unit processes. A quantitative comparison of treatment performance was not the goal of the study and could anyway only be done for complete treatment trains. An important next step in urine technology research and development will be the combination of unit processes to set up and test robust treatment trains. We hope that the present review will help guide these efforts to accelerate the development towards a mature technology with pilot scale and eventually full-scale implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove A. Larsen
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Michel E. Riechmann
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kai M. Udert
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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8
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Mahalingam S, Ayyaru S, Ahn YH. Facile one-pot microwave assisted synthesis of rGO-CuS-ZnS hybrid nanocomposite cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cell application. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 278:130426. [PMID: 34126679 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A reduced graphene oxide-copper sulfide-zinc sulfide (rGO-CuS-ZnS) hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized using a surfactant-free in-situ microwave technique. The in-situ microwave method was used to prepare 1-D ZnS nanorods and CuS nanoparticles decorated into the rGO nanosheets. The prepared hybrid nanocomposite catalysts were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, elemental mapping analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effectiveness of the synthesized rGO-CuS-ZnS hybrid nanocomposite (rGO-CZS HBNC) was estimated using an innovative cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cell (MFC). MFCs were fabricated differently such as SL (single-layer), DL (double-layer), and TL (triple-layer) loading. Followed using cyclic voltammetry and impedance analyses, the electrochemical evaluation of the prepared MFCs was evaluated. Among the fabricated MFCs, the DL MFCs with rGO-CuS-ZnS cathode catalyst displayed higher power density (1692 ± 15 mW/m2) and OCP (761 ± 9 mV) than the other catalysts loadings, such as SL and TL. rGO-CZS HBNC are potential cathode materials for MFC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmugam Mahalingam
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
| | - Sivasankaran Ayyaru
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
| | - Young-Ho Ahn
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea.
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9
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Gajda I, You J, Mendis BA, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. Electrosynthesis, modulation, and self-driven electroseparation in microbial fuel cells. iScience 2021; 24:102805. [PMID: 34471855 PMCID: PMC8390849 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) represents a sustainable platform that converts waste into resources, using microorganisms within an electrochemical cell. Traditionally, MES refers to the oxidation/reduction of a reactant at the electrode surface with externally applied potential bias. However, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) generate electrons that can drive electrochemical reactions at otherwise unbiased electrodes. Electrosynthesis in MFCs is driven by microbial oxidation of organic matter releasing electrons that force the migration of cationic species to the cathode. Here, we explore how electrosynthesis can coexist within electricity-producing MFCs thanks to electro-separation of cations, electroosmotic drag, and oxygen reduction within appropriately designed systems. More importantly, we report on a novel method of in situ modulation for electrosynthesis, through additional “pin” electrodes. Several MFC electrosynthesis modulating methods that adjust the electrode potential of each half-cell through the pin electrodes are presented. The innovative concept of electrosynthesis within the electricity producing MFCs provides a multidisciplinary platform converting waste-to-resources in a self-sustainable way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Jiseon You
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Buddhi Arjuna Mendis
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis A Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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10
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Merino-Jimenez I, Obata O, Pasternak G, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Effect of microbial fuel cell operation time on the disinfection efficacy of electrochemically synthesised catholyte from urine. Process Biochem 2021; 101:294-303. [PMID: 33664628 PMCID: PMC7893686 DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The MFC with the thickest ceramic membrane produced the best quality catholyte. MFC operation time contributes to the catholyte quality and killing properties. Catholyte from ceramic MFC (10 mm) reached pH 11 at day 42 and eradicated E. coli.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer an excellent solution to tackle some of the major challenges currently faced by humankind: sustainable energy sources, waste management and water stress. Besides treating wastewater and producing useful electricity from urine, ceramic MFCs can also generate biocidal catholyte in-situ. It has been proved that the electricity generation from the MFCs has a high impact in the catholyte composition. Therefore, the catholyte composition constantly changes while electricity is generated. However, these changes in catholyte composition with time has not yet been studied and that could highly contribute to the disinfection efficacy. In this work, the evolution of the catholyte generation and composition with the MFC operation time has been chemically and microbiologically evaluated, during 42 days. The results show an increase in pH and conductivity with the operation time, reaching pH 11.5. Flow cytometry and luminometer analyses of bioluminescent pathogenic E. coli exposed to the synthesised catholyte revealed killing properties against bacterial cells. A bio-electrochemical system, capable of electricity generation and simultaneous production of bactericidal catholyte from human urine is presented. The possibility to electrochemically generate in-situ a bacterial killing agent from urine, offers a great opportunity for water reuse and resource recovery for practical implementations.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Merino-Jimenez
- Laboratory of Microbial Electrochemical Systems, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.,Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, C/ del Til·lers, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - O Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - G Pasternak
- Laboratory of Microbial Electrochemical Systems, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.,Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, C/ del Til·lers, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - J Greenman
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - I Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK.,Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
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11
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Yamane T, Yoshida N, Sugioka M. Estimation of total energy requirement for sewage treatment by a microbial fuel cell with a one-meter air-cathode assuming Michaelis–Menten COD degradation. RSC Adv 2021; 11:20036-20045. [PMID: 35479885 PMCID: PMC9033653 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03061b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Calculations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation in sewage by a microbial fuel cell (MFC) were used to estimate the total energy required for treatment of the sewage. Mono-exponential regression (MER) and the Michaelis–Menten equation (MME) were used to describe the MFC's COD removal rate (CRR). The tubular MFC used in this study (ϕ 5.0 × 100 cm) consisted of an air core surrounding a carbon-based cathode, an anion exchange membrane, and graphite non-woven fabric immersed in sewage. The MFC generated 0.26 A m−2 of the electrode area and 0.32 W m−3 of the sewage water, and 3.9 W h m−3 in a chemostat reactor supplemented continuously with sewage containing 180 mg L−1 of COD with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h. The COD removal and coulombic efficiency (CE) were 46% and 19%, respectively, and the energy generation efficiency (EGE) was 0.054 kW h kg−1-COD. The CRR and current in the MFC were strongly dependent on the COD, which could be controlled by varying the HRT. The MER model predicted first-order rate constants of 0.054 and 0.034 for reactors with and without MFC, respectively. The difference in these values indicated that using MFC significantly increased the COD removal. The results of fitting the experimental data to the MME suggested that the total COD can be separated into nondegradable CODs (Cn) and degradable CODs (Cd) via MFC. The values of CRR for Cd and CE suggest that MFC pretreatment for 12 hours prior to aeration results in a 75% decrease in net energy consumption while reducing sewage COD from 180 to 20 mg L−1. Calculations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation in sewage by a microbial fuel cell (MFC) were used to estimate the total energy required for treatment of the sewage.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Yamane
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nitech)
- Nagoya
- Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshida
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nitech)
- Nagoya
- Japan
| | - Mari Sugioka
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nitech)
- Nagoya
- Japan
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12
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Jadhav DA, Das I, Ghangrekar MM, Pant D. Moving towards practical applications of microbial fuel cells for sanitation and resource recovery. JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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13
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Salar-Garcia M, Montilla F, Quijada C, Morallon E, Ieropoulos I. Improving the power performance of urine-fed microbial fuel cells using PEDOT-PSS modified anodes. APPLIED ENERGY 2020; 278:115528. [PMID: 33311834 PMCID: PMC7722509 DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The need for improving the energy harvesting from Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) has boosted the design of new materials in order to increase the power performance of this technology and facilitate its practical application. According to this approach, in this work different poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT-PSS) modified electrodes have been synthesised and evaluated as anodes in urine-fed MFCs. The electrochemical synthesis of PEDOT-PSS was performed by potentiostatic step experiments from aqueous solution at a fixed potential of 1.80 V (vs. a reversible hydrogen electrode) for different times: 30, 60, 120 and 240 s. Compared with other methods, this technique allowed us not only to reduce the processing time of the electrodes but also better control of the chemical composition of the deposited polymer and therefore, obtain more efficient polymer films. All modified anodes outperformed the maximum power output by MFCs working with the bare carbon veil electrode but the maximum value was observed when MFCs were working with the PEDOT-PSS based anode obtained after 30 s of electropolymerisation (535.1 µW). This value was 24.3% higher than using the bare carbon veil electrode. Moreover, the functionality of the PEDOT-PSS anodes was reported over 90 days working in continuous mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.J. Salar-Garcia
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - F. Montilla
- Departamento de Química Física e Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Crtra. San Vicente s/n 03690, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
| | - C. Quijada
- Departamento de Ingeniería Textil y Papelera, Universitat Politècnica de València, Pza Ferrandiz y Carbonell, E-03801 Alcoy, Alicante, Spain
| | - E. Morallon
- Departamento de Química Física e Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Crtra. San Vicente s/n 03690, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
| | - I. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, United Kingdom
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14
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Prudente M, Massazza DA, Busalmen JP, Romeo HE. Urine dilution with a synthetic wastewater (Syntho) boosts the electricity production in a bio-electrochemical system powered by un-pretreated human urine. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 137:107639. [PMID: 32942188 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human urine can be turned into electricity in bio-electrochemical systems. The acclimation of electro-active bacteria to culture media with increasing urine concentrations has led to raising the obtained current densities, which typically followed a Monod-like evolution profile as a function of urine concentration. However, the acclimation protocol has been so far evaluated using pretreated urine samples (fermented or precipitated), not raw (un-pretreated) urine. We demonstrate that, when un-pretreated urine is used, the microbial adaptation to increasingly concentrated urine leads to a current density profile that does not reach a saturation-like phase, but follows a Han/Levenspiel-type trend (bell-shaped). By diluting un-pretreated urine with a synthetic domestic wastewater (Syntho) up to concentrations matching those of the maximum in the Han/Levenspiel-like current profile (15-20% v/v) it is possible to avoid the drop in the electro-active response, generating anodic current densities as high as 3.6 ± 0.2 A.m-2 (per actual surface area), 35-fold higher than those reached in pure un-pretreated urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Prudente
- División Polímeros Nanoestructurados, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Diego A Massazza
- División Ingeniería de Interfases y Bio-procesos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan P Busalmen
- División Ingeniería de Interfases y Bio-procesos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Hernán E Romeo
- División Polímeros Nanoestructurados, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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15
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Nazari S, Zinatizadeh AA, Mirghorayshi M, van Loosdrecht MC. Waste or Gold? Bioelectrochemical Resource Recovery in Source-Separated Urine. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 38:990-1006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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Santoro C, Garcia MJS, Walter XA, You J, Theodosiou P, Gajda I, Obata O, Winfield J, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Urine in Bioelectrochemical Systems: An Overall Review. ChemElectroChem 2020; 7:1312-1331. [PMID: 32322457 PMCID: PMC7161917 DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, human urine has been successfully used as an electrolyte and organic substrate in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) mainly due of its unique properties. Urine contains organic compounds that can be utilised as a fuel for energy recovery in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and it has high nutrient concentrations including nitrogen and phosphorous that can be concentrated and recovered in microbial electrosynthesis cells and microbial concentration cells. Moreover, human urine has high solution conductivity, which reduces the ohmic losses of these systems, improving BES output. This review describes the most recent advances in BESs utilising urine. Properties of neat human urine used in state-of-the-art MFCs are described from basic to pilot-scale and real implementation. Utilisation of urine in other bioelectrochemical systems for nutrient recovery is also discussed including proofs of concept to scale up systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Maria Jose Salar Garcia
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Xavier Alexis Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Jiseon You
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Pavlina Theodosiou
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Oluwatosin Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Jonathan Winfield
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
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Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Microbial Fuel Cell stack performance enhancement through carbon veil anode modification with activated carbon powder. APPLIED ENERGY 2020; 262:114475. [PMID: 32201452 PMCID: PMC7074012 DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The chemical energy contained in urine can be efficiently extracted into direct electricity by Microbial Fuel Cell stacks to reach usable power levels for practical implementation and a decentralised power source in remote locations. Herein, a novel type of the anode electrode was developed using powdered activated carbon (PAC) applied onto the carbon fibre scaffold in the ceramic MFC stack to achieve superior electrochemical performance during 500 days of operation. The stack equipped with modified anodes (MF-CV) produced up to 37.9 mW (21.1 W m-3) in comparison to the control (CV) that reached 21.4 mW (11.9 W m-3) showing 77% increase in power production. The novel combination of highly porous activated carbon particles applied onto the conductive network of carbon fibres promoted simultaneously electrocatalytic activity and increased surface area, resulting in excellent power output from the MFC stack as well as higher treatment rate. Considering the low cost and simplicity of the material preparation, as well as the outstanding electrochemical activity during long term operation, the resulting modification provides a promising anode electrocatalyst for high-performance MFC stacks to enhance urine and waste treatment for the purpose of future scale-up and technology implementation as an applied off-grid energy source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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18
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Poli F, Seri J, Santoro C, Soavi F. Boosting Microbial Fuel Cell Performance by Combining with an External Supercapacitor: An Electrochemical Study. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Poli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” Alma Mater StudiorumUniversita di Bologna Via Selmi, 2 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Jacopo Seri
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” Alma Mater StudiorumUniversita di Bologna Via Selmi, 2 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre Bristol Robotics Laboratory T-BlockUniversity West of England Coldharbour Lane Bristol BS16 1QY UK
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” Alma Mater StudiorumUniversita di Bologna Via Selmi, 2 40126 Bologna Italy
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19
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How does electron transfer occur in microbial fuel cells? World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:19. [PMID: 31955250 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-2801-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for sustainable wastewater treatment coupled with electricity generation. A MFC is a device that uses microbes as catalysts to convert chemical energy present in biomass into electrical energy. Among the various mechanisms that drive the operation of a MFC, extracellular electron transfer (EET) to the anode is one of the most important. Exoelectrogenic bacteria can natively transfer electrons to a conducting surface like the anode. The mechanisms employed for electron transfer can either be direct transfer via conductive pili or nanowires, or mediated transfer that involves either naturally secreted redox mediators like flavins and pyocyanins or artificially added mediators like methylene blue and neutral red. EET is a mechanism wherein microorganisms extract energy for growth and maintenance from their surroundings and transfer the resulting electrons to the anode to generate current. The efficiency of these electron transfer mechanisms is dependent not only on the redox potentials of the species involved, but also on microbial oxidative metabolism that liberates electrons. Attempts at understanding the electron transfer mechanisms will boost efforts in giving rise to practical applications. This article covers the various electron transfer mechanisms involved between microbes and electrodes in microbial fuel cells and their applications.
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de Ramón-Fernández A, Salar-García M, Ruiz-Fernández D, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Modelling the energy harvesting from ceramic-based microbial fuel cells by using a fuzzy logic approach. APPLIED ENERGY 2019; 251:113321. [PMID: 31787800 PMCID: PMC6880661 DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a promising technology that is able to simultaneously produce bioenergy and treat wastewater. Their potential large-scale application is still limited by the need of optimising their power density. The aim of this study is to simulate the absolute power output by ceramic-based MFCs fed with human urine by using a fuzzy inference system in order to maximise the energy harvesting. For this purpose, membrane thickness, anode area and external resistance, were varied by running a 27-parameter combination in triplicate with a total number of 81 assays performed. Performance indices such as R2 and variance account for (VAF) were employed in order to compare the accuracy of the fuzzy inference system designed with that obtained by using nonlinear multivariable regression. R2 and VAF were calculated as 94.85% and 94.41% for the fuzzy inference system and 79.72% and 65.19% for the nonlinear multivariable regression model, respectively. As a result, these indices revealed that the prediction of the absolute power output by ceramic-based MFCs of the fuzzy-based systems is more reliable than the nonlinear multivariable regression approach. The analysis of the response surface obtained by the fuzzy inference system determines that the maximum absolute power output by the air-breathing set-up studied is 450 μ W when the anode area ranged from 160 to 200 cm2, the external loading is approximately 900 Ω and a membrane thickness of 1.6 mm, taking into account that the results also confirm that the latter parameter does not show a significant effect on the power output in the range of values studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M.J. Salar-García
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotic Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | | | - J. Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotic Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - I. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotic Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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21
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Winfield J, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Response of ceramic microbial fuel cells to direct anodic airflow and novel hydrogel cathodes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY 2019; 44:15344-15354. [PMID: 31217664 PMCID: PMC6558992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The presence of air in the anode chamber of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) might be unavoidable in some applications. This study purposely exposed the anodic biofilm to air for sustained cycles using ceramic cylindrical MFCs. A method for improving oxygen uptake at the cathode by utilising hydrogel was also trialled. MFCs only dropped by 2 mV in response to the influx of air. At higher air-flow rates (up to 1.1 L/h) after 43-45 h, power did eventually decrease because chemical oxygen demand (COD) was being consumed (up to 96% reduction), but recovered immediately with fresh feedstock, highlighting no permanent damage to the biofilm. Two months after the application of hydrogel to the cathode chamber, MFC power increased 182%, due to better contact between cathode and ceramic surface. The results suggest a novel way of improving MFC performance using hydrogels, and demonstrates the robustness of the electro-active biofilm both during and following exposure to air.
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22
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Salar-García M, de Ramón-Fernández A, Ortiz-Martínez V, Ruiz-Fernández D, Ieropoulos I. Towards the optimisation of ceramic-based microbial fuel cells: A three-factor three-level response surface analysis design. Biochem Eng J 2019; 144:119-124. [PMID: 31007566 PMCID: PMC6472539 DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an environment-friendly technology, which addresses two of the most important environmental issues worldwide: fossil fuel depletion and water scarcity. Modelling is a useful tool that allows us to understand the behaviour of MFCs and predict their performance, yet the number of MFC models that could accurately inform a scale-up process, is low. In this work, a three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design is used to evaluate the influence of different operating parameters on the performance of air-breathing ceramic-based MFCs fed with human urine. The statistical analysis of the 45 tests run shows that both anode area and external resistance have more influence on the power output than membrane thickness, in the range studied. The theoretical optimal conditions were found at a membrane thickness of 1.55 mm, an external resistance of 895.59 Ω and an anode area of 165.72 cm2, corresponding to a maximum absolute power generation of 467.63 μW. The accuracy of the second order model obtained is 88.6%. Thus, the three-factor three-level Box-Behnken-based model designed is an effective tool which provides key information for the optimisation of the energy harvesting from MFC technology and saves time in terms of experimental work.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.J Salar-García
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotic Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
| | - A. de Ramón-Fernández
- Department of Computer Technology, University of Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - V.M. Ortiz-Martínez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - D. Ruiz-Fernández
- Department of Computer Technology, University of Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - I. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotic Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
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23
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Hydrogen production from microbial fuel cells-ammonia electrolysis cell coupled system fed with landfill leachate using Mo2C/N-doped graphene nanocomposite as HER catalyst. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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24
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Mateo S, Cañizares P, Fernandez-Morales FJ, Rodrigo MA. A Critical View of Microbial Fuel Cells: What Is the Next Stage? CHEMSUSCHEM 2018; 11:4183-4192. [PMID: 30358130 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201802187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered interest from the scientific community since the beginning of this century and this has caused a considerable increase in the scientific production of MFCs. However, the ability of MFCs to generate power has not increased considerably within this timeframe. In recent years, the power generated by MFCs has remained at an almost contact level owing to difficulties in the scale-up of the technology and thus the application of MFCs for powering systems with high energy demands will not be fully developed, at least within a short temporal horizon. Scale-up by increasing the size of the electrodes has failed, because of the wrong assumption that a linear function describes the relationship between the amount of power generated by a MFC and its size. However, more efficient energy generation upon working with small MFCs has been described. This has led to a new approach for scaling up on the basis of miniaturization and replication. Then, MFCs can be connected electrically in series to increase the overall potential and in parallel to increase the overall current. However, cell-voltage reversal and ionic short-circuit issues must be solved for this approach to be successful. Nowadays, the applicability of MFC technology in wastewater treatment does not make any sense in light of the power levels reached, despite the fact that MFCs were seen as a paramount opportunity less than a decade ago. However, MFCs can be used for wastewater treatment with coupled energy generation, as well as for other technologies such as biosensors and biologically inspired robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mateo
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, Faculty of Chemical Sciences & Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Avenida Camilo José Cela, 12., 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo Cañizares
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, Faculty of Chemical Sciences & Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Avenida Camilo José Cela, 12., 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Francisco Jesus Fernandez-Morales
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, Faculty of Chemical Sciences & Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Avenida Camilo José Cela, 12., 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Manuel A Rodrigo
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, Faculty of Chemical Sciences & Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Avenida Camilo José Cela, 12., 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Zhou X, Li Z, Zheng T, Yan Y, Li P, Odey EA, Mang HP, Uddin SMN. Review of global sanitation development. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 120:246-261. [PMID: 30103124 PMCID: PMC6192828 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has resulted in an increased focus on developing innovative, sustainable sanitation techniques to address the demand for adequate and equitable sanitation in low-income areas. We examined the background, current situation, challenges, and perspectives of global sanitation. We used bibliometric analysis and word cluster analysis to evaluate sanitation research from 1992 to 2016 based on the Science Citation Index EXPANDED (SCI-EXPANDED) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) databases. Our results show that sanitation is a comprehensive field connected with multiple categories, and the increasing number of publications reflects a strong interest in this research area. Most of the research took place in developed countries, especially the USA, although sanitation problems are more serious in developing countries. Innovations in sanitation techniques may keep susceptible populations from contracting diseases caused by various kinds of contaminants and microorganisms. Hence, the hygienization of human excreta, resource recovery, and removal of micro-pollutants from excreta can serve as effective sustainable solutions. Commercialized technologies, like composting, anaerobic digestion, and storage, are reliable but still face challenges in addressing the links between the political, social, institutional, cultural, and educational aspects of sanitation. Innovative technologies, such as Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs), and struvite precipitation, are at the TRL (Technology readiness levels) 8 level, meaning that they qualify as "actual systems completed and qualified through test and demonstration." Solutions that take into consideration economic feasibility and all the different aspects of sanitation are required. There is an urgent demand for holistic solutions considering government support, social acceptability, as well as technological reliability that can be effectively adapted to local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhou
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zifu Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Tianlong Zheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Yichang Yan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Emmanuel Alepu Odey
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Heinz Peter Mang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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26
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Walter XA, Merino-Jiménez I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. PEE POWER ® urinal II - Urinal scale-up with microbial fuel cell scale-down for improved lighting. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 392:150-158. [PMID: 30018464 PMCID: PMC5989813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A novel design of microbial fuel cells (MFC) fuelled with undiluted urine was demonstrated to be an efficient power source for decentralised areas, but had only been tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Hence, a field-trial was carried out to assess its feasibility for practical implementation: a bespoke stack of 12 MFC modules was implemented as a self-sufficient lit urinal system at UK's largest music festival. Laboratory investigation showed that with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 44 h, a cascade of 4 modules (19.2 L displacement volume) was continuously producing ≈150 mW. At the same HRT, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced from 5586 mg COD·L-1 to 625 mg COD·L-1. Field results of the system under uncontrolled usage indicate an optimal retention time for power production between 2h30 and ≈9 h. When measured (HRT of ≈11h40), the COD decreased by 48% and the total nitrogen content by 13%. Compared to the previous PEE POWER® field-trial (2015), the present system achieved a 37% higher COD removal with half the HRT. The 2016 set-up produced ≈30% more energy in a third of the total volumetric footprint (max 600 mW). This performance corresponds to ≈7-fold technological improvement.
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Mateo S, Cantone A, Cañizares P, Fernández-Morales F, Scialdone O, Rodrigo M. Development of a module of stacks of air-breathing microbial fuel cells to light-up a strip of LEDs. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.04.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Effect of anode polarization on biofilm formation and electron transfer in Shewanella oneidensis /graphite felt microbial fuel cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 120:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Santoro C, Flores-Cadengo C, Soavi F, Kodali M, Merino-Jimenez I, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Ceramic Microbial Fuel Cells Stack: power generation in standard and supercapacitive mode. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29459777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) stack containing 28 ceramic MFCs was tested in both standard and supercapacitive modes. The MFCs consisted of carbon veil anodes wrapped around the ceramic separator and air-breathing cathodes based on activated carbon catalyst pressed on a stainless steel mesh. The anodes and cathodes were connected in parallel. The electrolytes utilized had different solution conductivities ranging from 2.0 mScm-1 to 40.1 mScm-1, simulating diverse wastewaters. Polarization curves of MFCs showed a general enhancement in performance with the increase of the electrolyte solution conductivity. The maximum stationary power density was 3.2 mW (3.2 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 that increased to 10.6 mW (10.6 Wm-3) at the highest solution conductivity (40.1 mScm-1). For the first time, MFCs stack with 1 L operating volume was also tested in supercapacitive mode, where full galvanostatic discharges are presented. Also in the latter case, performance once again improved with the increase in solution conductivity. Particularly, the increase in solution conductivity decreased dramatically the ohmic resistance and therefore the time for complete discharge was elongated, with a resultant increase in power. Maximum power achieved varied between 7.6 mW (7.6 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 and 27.4 mW (27.4 Wm-3) at 40.1 mScm-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Cristina Flores-Cadengo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Flores-Cadengo C, Soavi F, Kodali M, Merino-Jimenez I, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Ceramic Microbial Fuel Cells Stack: power generation in standard and supercapacitive mode. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3281. [PMID: 29459777 PMCID: PMC5818490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) stack containing 28 ceramic MFCs was tested in both standard and supercapacitive modes. The MFCs consisted of carbon veil anodes wrapped around the ceramic separator and air-breathing cathodes based on activated carbon catalyst pressed on a stainless steel mesh. The anodes and cathodes were connected in parallel. The electrolytes utilized had different solution conductivities ranging from 2.0 mScm-1 to 40.1 mScm-1, simulating diverse wastewaters. Polarization curves of MFCs showed a general enhancement in performance with the increase of the electrolyte solution conductivity. The maximum stationary power density was 3.2 mW (3.2 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 that increased to 10.6 mW (10.6 Wm-3) at the highest solution conductivity (40.1 mScm-1). For the first time, MFCs stack with 1 L operating volume was also tested in supercapacitive mode, where full galvanostatic discharges are presented. Also in the latter case, performance once again improved with the increase in solution conductivity. Particularly, the increase in solution conductivity decreased dramatically the ohmic resistance and therefore the time for complete discharge was elongated, with a resultant increase in power. Maximum power achieved varied between 7.6 mW (7.6 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 and 27.4 mW (27.4 Wm-3) at 40.1 mScm-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Cristina Flores-Cadengo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Gajda I, Greenman J, Santoro C, Serov A, Melhuish C, Atanassov P, Ieropoulos IA. Improved power and long term performance of microbial fuel cell with Fe-N-C catalyst in air-breathing cathode. ENERGY (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2018; 144:1073-1079. [PMID: 29456285 PMCID: PMC5807896 DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.11.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Power output limitation is one of the main challenges that needs to be addressed for full-scale applications of the Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Previous studies have examined electrochemical performance of different cathode electrodes including the development of novel iron based electrocatalysts, however the long-term investigation into continuously operating systems is rare. This work aims to study the application of platinum group metals-free (PGM-free) catalysts integrated into an air-breathing cathode of the microbial fuel cell operating on activated sewage sludge and supplemented with acetate as the carbon energy source. The maximum power density up to 1.3 Wm-2 (54 Wm-3) obtained with iron aminoantipyrine (Fe-AAPyr) catalyst is the highest reported in this type of MFC and shows stability and improvement in long term operation when continuously operated on wastewater. It also investigates the ability of this catalyst to facilitate water extraction from the anode and electroosmotic production of clean catholyte. The electrochemical kinetic extraction of catholyte in the cathode chamber shows correlation with power performance and produces a newly synthesised solution with a high pH > 13, suggesting caustic content. This shows an active electrolytic treatment of wastewater by active ionic and pH splitting in an electricity producing MFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK.Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics LaboratoryUniversity of the West of EnglandBS16 1QYUK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Chris Melhuish
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK.Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics LaboratoryUniversity of the West of EnglandBS16 1QYUK
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Reshma L, Chaitanyakumar A, Aditya A, Ramaraj B, Santhakumar K. Modeling of microfluidic bio-solar cell using microalgae through multiphysics platform: A greener approach en route for energy production. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Microbial fuel cells connected in series in a common electrolyte underperform: Understanding why and in what context such a set-up can be applied. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.06.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Santoro C, Arbizzani C, Erable B, Ieropoulos I. Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 356:225-244. [PMID: 28717261 PMCID: PMC5465942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 527] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the past 10-15 years, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has captured the attention of the scientific community for the possibility of transforming organic waste directly into electricity through microbially catalyzed anodic, and microbial/enzymatic/abiotic cathodic electrochemical reactions. In this review, several aspects of the technology are considered. Firstly, a brief history of abiotic to biological fuel cells and subsequently, microbial fuel cells is presented. Secondly, the development of the concept of microbial fuel cell into a wider range of derivative technologies, called bioelectrochemical systems, is described introducing briefly microbial electrolysis cells, microbial desalination cells and microbial electrosynthesis cells. The focus is then shifted to electroactive biofilms and electron transfer mechanisms involved with solid electrodes. Carbonaceous and metallic anode materials are then introduced, followed by an explanation of the electro catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction and its behavior in neutral media, from recent studies. Cathode catalysts based on carbonaceous, platinum-group metal and platinum-group-metal-free materials are presented, along with membrane materials with a view to future directions. Finally, microbial fuel cell practical implementation, through the utilization of energy output for practical applications, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, 87106, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Catia Arbizzani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Benjamin Erable
- University of Toulouse, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CAMPUS INP – ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, CS 84234, 31432, Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T Block, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Ln, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
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Santoro C, Kodali M, Kabir S, Soavi F, Serov A, Atanassov P. Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets as cathode catalysts in standard and supercapacitive microbial fuel cell. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 356:371-380. [PMID: 28717262 PMCID: PMC5465940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets (3D-GNS) were used as cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) operating in neutral conditions. 3D-GNS catalysts showed high performance towards oxygen electroreduction in neutral media with high current densities and low hydrogen peroxide generation compared to activated carbon (AC). 3D-GNS was incorporated into air-breathing cathodes based on AC with three different loadings (2, 6 and 10 mgcm-2). Performances in MFCs showed that 3D-GNS had the highest performances with power densities of 2.059 ± 0.003 Wm-2, 1.855 ± 0.007 Wm-2 and 1.503 ± 0.005 Wm-2 for loading of 10, 6 and 2 mgcm-2 respectively. Plain AC had the lowest performances (1.017 ± 0.009 Wm-2). The different cathodes were also investigated in supercapacitive MFCs (SC-MFCs). The addition of 3D-GNS decreased the ohmic losses by 14-25%. The decrease in ohmic losses allowed the SC-MFC with 3D-GNS (loading 10 mgcm-2) to have the maximum power (Pmax) of 5.746 ± 0.186 Wm-2. At 5 mA, the SC-MFC featured an "apparent" capacitive response that increased from 0.027 ± 0.007 F with AC to 0.213 ± 0.026 F with 3D-GNS (loading 2 mgcm-2) and further to 1.817 ± 0.040 F with 3D-GNS (loading 10 mgcm-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Sadia Kabir
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum Universita’ di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Estrada-Arriaga EB, Guillen-Alonso Y, Morales-Morales C, García-Sánchez L, Bahena-Bahena EO, Guadarrama-Pérez O, Loyola-Morales F. Performance of air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cells systems for wastewater treatment and electricity production. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2017; 76:683-693. [PMID: 28759450 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Two different air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cell (MFC) configurations were evaluated under continuous flow during the treatment of municipal wastewater and electricity production at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3, 1, and 0.5 d. Stacked MFC 1 was formed by 20 individual air-cathode MFC units. The second stacked MFC (stacked MFC 2) consisted of 40 air-cathode MFC units placed in a shared reactor. The maximum voltages produced at closed circuit (1,000 Ω) were 170 mV for stacked MFC 1 and 94 mV for stacked MFC 2. Different power densities in each MFC unit were obtained due to a potential drop phenomenon and to a change in chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations inside reactors. The maximum power densities from individual MFC units were up to 1,107 mW/m2 for stacked MFC 1 and up to 472 mW/m2 for stacked MFC 2. The maximum power densities in stacked MFC 1 and MFC 2 connected in series were 79 mW/m2 and 4 mW/m2, respectively. Electricity generation and COD removal efficiencies were reduced when the HRT was decreased. High removal efficiencies of 84% of COD, 47% of total nitrogen, and 30% of total phosphorus were obtained during municipal wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Baltazar Estrada-Arriaga
- Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec, Morelos C.P. 62550, Mexico E-mail:
| | - Yvonne Guillen-Alonso
- Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 566, Lomas del Texcal, Jiutepec, Morelos 62550, Mexico
| | - Cornelio Morales-Morales
- Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 566, Lomas del Texcal, Jiutepec, Morelos 62550, Mexico
| | - Liliana García-Sánchez
- Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 566, Lomas del Texcal, Jiutepec, Morelos 62550, Mexico
| | - Erick Obed Bahena-Bahena
- Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 566, Lomas del Texcal, Jiutepec, Morelos 62550, Mexico
| | - Oscar Guadarrama-Pérez
- Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec, Morelos C.P. 62550, Mexico E-mail:
| | - Félix Loyola-Morales
- Instituto Nacional de Electricidad y Energías Limpias, Reforma 113, Palmira, Cuernavaca, Morelos C.P. 62490, México
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A novel polyaniline interlayer manganese dioxide composite anode for high-performance microbial fuel cell. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kuntke P, Rodríguez Arredondo M, Widyakristi L, Ter Heijne A, Sleutels THJA, Hamelers HVM, Buisman CJN. Hydrogen Gas Recycling for Energy Efficient Ammonia Recovery in Electrochemical Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:3110-3116. [PMID: 28169520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b06097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recycling of hydrogen gas (H2) produced at the cathode to the anode in an electrochemical system allows for energy efficient TAN (Total Ammonia Nitrogen) recovery. Using a H2 recycling electrochemical system (HRES) we achieved high TAN transport rates at low energy input. At a current density of 20 A m-2, TAN removal rate from the influent was 151 gN m-2 d-1 at an energy demand of 26.1 kJ gN-1. The maximum TAN transport rate of 335 gN m-2 d-1 was achieved at a current density of 50 A m-2 and an energy demand of 56.3 kJ gN-1. High TAN removal efficiency (73-82%) and recovery (60-73%) were reached in all experiments. Therefore, our HRES is a promising alternative for electrochemical and bioelectrochemical TAN recovery. Advantages are the lower energy input and lower risk of chloride oxidation compared to electrochemical technologies and high rates and independence of organic matter compared to bioelectrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kuntke
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariana Rodríguez Arredondo
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laksminarastri Widyakristi
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom H J A Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Hubertus V M Hamelers
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Zhao N, Angelidaki I, Zhang Y. Electricity generation and microbial community in response to short-term changes in stack connection of self-stacked submersible microbial fuel cell powered by glycerol. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 109:367-374. [PMID: 27940407 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Stack connection (i.e., in series or parallel) of microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an efficient way to boost the power output for practical application. However, there is little information available on short-term changes in stack connection and its effect on the electricity generation and microbial community. In this study, a self-stacked submersible microbial fuel cell (SSMFC) powered by glycerol was tested to elucidate this important issue. In series connection, the maximum voltage output reached to 1.15 V, while maximum current density was 5.73 mA in parallel. In both connections, the maximum power density increased with the initial glycerol concentration. However, the glycerol degradation was even faster in parallel connection. When the SSMFC was shifted from series to parallel connection, the reactor reached to a stable power output without any lag phase. Meanwhile, the anodic microbial community compositions were nearly stable. Comparatively, after changing parallel to series connection, there was a lag period for the system to get stable again and the microbial community compositions became greatly different. This study is the first attempt to elucidate the influence of short-term changes in connection on the performance of MFC stack, and could provide insight to the practical utilization of MFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark.
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Shrestha N, Fogg A, Wilder J, Franco D, Komisar S, Gadhamshetty V. Electricity generation from defective tomatoes. Bioelectrochemistry 2016; 112:67-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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He W, Wallack MJ, Kim KY, Zhang X, Yang W, Zhu X, Feng Y, Logan BE. The effect of flow modes and electrode combinations on the performance of a multiple module microbial fuel cell installed at wastewater treatment plant. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 105:351-360. [PMID: 27639344 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A larger (6.1 L) MFC stack made in a scalable configuration was constructed with four anode modules and three (two-sided) cathode modules, and tested at a wastewater treatment plant for performance in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and power generation. Domestic wastewater was fed either in parallel (raw wastewater to each individual anode module) or series (sequentially through the chambers), with the flow direction either alternated every one or two days or kept fixed in a single direction over time. The largest impact on performance was the wastewater COD concentration, which greatly impacted power production, but did not affect the percentage of COD removal. With higher COD concentrations (∼500 mg L-1) and alternating flow conditions, power generation was primarily limited by the cathode specific area. In alternating flow operation, anode modules connected to two cathodes produced an average maximum power density of 6.0 ± 0.4 W m-3, which was 1.9 ± 0.2 times that obtained for anodes connected to a single cathode. In fixed flow operation, a large subsequent decrease in COD influent concentration greatly reduced power production independent of reactor operation in parallel or serial flow modes. Anode modules connected to two cathodes did not consistently produce more power than the anodes connected to a single cathode, indicating power production became limited by restricted anode performance at low CODs. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data supported restricted anode performance with low COD. These results demonstrate that maintaining power production of MFC stack requires higher influent and effluent COD concentrations. However, overall performance of the MFC in terms of COD removal was not affected by operational modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Maxwell J Wallack
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kyoung-Yeol Kim
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Wulin Yang
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Xiuping Zhu
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 16802, USA
| | - Yujie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, PR China.
| | - Bruce E Logan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, PR China; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Yang G, Chen D, Lv P, Kong X, Sun Y, Wang Z, Yuan Z, Liu H, Yang J. Core-shell Au-Pd nanoparticles as cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cell applications. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35252. [PMID: 27734945 PMCID: PMC5062343 DOI: 10.1038/srep35252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bimetallic nanoparticles with core-shell structures usually display enhanced catalytic properties due to the lattice strain created between the core and shell regions. In this study, we demonstrate the application of bimetallic Au-Pd nanoparticles with an Au core and a thin Pd shell as cathode catalysts in microbial fuel cells, which represent a promising technology for wastewater treatment, while directly generating electrical energy. In specific, in comparison with the hollow structured Pt nanoparticles, a benchmark for the electrocatalysis, the bimetallic core-shell Au-Pd nanoparticles are found to have superior activity and stability for oxygen reduction reaction in a neutral condition due to the strong electronic interaction and lattice strain effect between the Au core and the Pd shell domains. The maximum power density generated in a membraneless single-chamber microbial fuel cell running on wastewater with core-shell Au-Pd as cathode catalysts is ca. 16.0 W m−3 and remains stable over 150 days, clearly illustrating the potential of core-shell nanostructures in the applications of microbial fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaixiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Dong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Pengmei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiaoying Kong
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yongming Sun
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhongming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhenhong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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Houghton J, Santoro C, Soavi F, Serov A, Ieropoulos I, Arbizzani C, Atanassov P. Supercapacitive microbial fuel cell: Characterization and analysis for improved charge storage/delivery performance. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 218:552-60. [PMID: 27400393 PMCID: PMC5001197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.06.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Supercapacitive microbial fuel cells with various anode and cathode dimensions were investigated in order to determine the effect on cell capacitance and delivered power quality. The cathode size was shown to be the limiting component of the system in contrast to anode size. By doubling the cathode area, the peak power output was improved by roughly 120% for a 10ms pulse discharge and internal resistance of the cell was decreased by ∼47%. A model was constructed in order to predict the performance of a hypothetical cylindrical MFC design with larger relative cathode size. It was found that a small device based on conventional materials with a volume of approximately 21cm(3) would be capable of delivering a peak power output of approximately 25mW at 70mA, corresponding to ∼1300Wm(-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah Houghton
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Block T, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Catia Arbizzani
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Cow's urine as a yellow gold for bioelectricity generation in low cost clayware microbial fuel cell. ENERGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Yu F, Wang C, Ma J. Applications of Graphene-Modified Electrodes in Microbial Fuel Cells. MATERIALS 2016; 9:ma9100807. [PMID: 28773929 PMCID: PMC5456629 DOI: 10.3390/ma9100807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Graphene-modified materials have captured increasing attention for energy applications due to their superior physical and chemical properties, which can significantly enhance the electricity generation performance of microbial fuel cells (MFC). In this review, several typical synthesis methods of graphene-modified electrodes, such as graphite oxide reduction methods, self-assembly methods, and chemical vapor deposition, are summarized. According to the different functions of the graphene-modified materials in the MFC anode and cathode chambers, a series of design concepts for MFC electrodes are assembled, e.g., enhancing the biocompatibility and improving the extracellular electron transfer efficiency for anode electrodes and increasing the active sites and strengthening the reduction pathway for cathode electrodes. In spite of the challenges of MFC electrodes, graphene-modified electrodes are promising for MFC development to address the reduction in efficiency brought about by organic waste by converting it into electrical energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Hai Quan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Chengxian Wang
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Hai Quan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
| | - Jie Ma
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Hai Quan Road, Shanghai 201418, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Soavi F, Bettini LG, Piseri P, Milani P, Santoro C, Atanassov P, Arbizzani C. Miniaturized supercapacitors: key materials and structures towards autonomous and sustainable devices and systems. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2016; 326:717-725. [PMID: 27642225 PMCID: PMC4997707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.04.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Supercapacitors (SCs) are playing a key role for the development of self-powered and self-sustaining integrated systems for different fields ranging from remote sensing, robotics and medical devices. SC miniaturization and integration into more complex systems that include energy harvesters and functional devices are valuable strategies that address system autonomy. Here, we discuss about novel SC fabrication and integration approaches. Specifically, we report about the results of interdisciplinary activities on the development of thin, flexible SCs by an additive technology based on Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition (SCBD) to be implemented into supercapacitive electrolyte gated transistors and supercapacitive microbial fuel cells. Such systems integrate at materials level the specific functions of devices, like electric switch or energy harvesting with the reversible energy storage capability. These studies might open new frontiers for the development and application of new multifunction-energy storage elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Giacomo Bettini
- CIMaINa and Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Piseri
- CIMaINa and Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Milani
- CIMaINa and Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Catia Arbizzani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Anodic biofilms as the interphase for electroactive bacterial growth on carbon veil. Biointerphases 2016; 11:031013. [PMID: 27609094 DOI: 10.1116/1.4962264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure and activity of electrochemically active biofilms (EABs) are usually investigated on flat electrodes. However, real world applications such as wastewater treatment and bioelectrosynthesis require tridimensional electrodes to increase surface area and facilitate EAB attachment. The structure and activity of thick EABs grown on high surface area electrodes are difficult to characterize with electrochemical and microscopy methods. Here, the authors adopt a stacked electrode configuration to simulate the high surface and the tridimensional structure of an electrode for large-scale EAB applications. Each layer of the stacked electrode is independently characterized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and digital image processing. Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilm on stacked carbon veil electrodes is grown under constant oxidative potentials (0, +200, and +400 mV versus Ag/AgCl) until a stable current output is obtained. The textural, aerial, and volumetric parameters extracted from CLSM images allow tracking of the evolution of morphological properties within the stacked electrodes. The electrode layers facing the bulk liquid show higher biovolumes compared with the inner layer of the stack. The electrochemical performance of S. oneidensis MR-1 is directly linked to the overall biofilm volume as well as connectivity between cell clusters.
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49
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Winfield J, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. A review into the use of ceramics in microbial fuel cells. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 215:296-303. [PMID: 27130228 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer great promise as a technology that can produce electricity whilst at the same time treat wastewater. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, the requirement for cheaper materials has prevented the technology from wider, out-of-the-lab, implementation. Recently, researchers have started using ceramics with encouraging results, suggesting that this inexpensive material might be the solution for propelling MFC technology towards real world applications. Studies have demonstrated that ceramics can provide stability, improve power and treatment efficiencies, create a better environment for the electro-active bacteria and contribute towards resource recovery. This review discusses progress to date using ceramics as (i) the structural material, (ii) the medium for ion exchange and (iii) the electrode for MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Winfield
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, T-Building, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
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