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da Silva Freitas W, Gemma D, Mecheri B, D'Epifanio A. Air-breathing cathodes for microbial fuel cells based on iron-nitrogen-carbon electrocatalysts. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 146:108103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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2
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Sharif HMA, Farooq M, Hussain I, Ali M, Mujtaba M, Sultan M, Yang B. Recent innovations for scaling up microbial fuel cell systems: Significance of physicochemical factors for electrodes and membranes materials. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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3
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Iannaci A, Ingle S, Domínguez C, Longhi M, Merdrignac-Conanec O, Ababou-Girard S, Barrière F, Colavita PE. Nanoscaffold effects on the performance of air-cathodes for microbial fuel cells: Sustainable Fe/N-carbon electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction under neutral pH conditions. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 142:107937. [PMID: 34474203 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nanostructured electrocatalysts for microbial fuel cell air-cathodes were obtained via use of conductive carbon blacks for the synthesis of high performing 3D conductive networks. We used two commercially available nanocarbons, Black Pearls 2000 and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, as conductive scaffolds for the synthesis of nanocomposite electrodes by combining: a hydrothermally carbonized resin, a sacrificial polymeric template, a nitrogenated organic precursor and iron centers. The resulting materials are micro-mesoporous, possess high specific surface area and display N-sites (N/C of 3-5 at%) and Fe-centers (Fe/C < 1.5at.%) at the carbon surface as evidenced from characterization methods. Voltammetry studies of oxygen reduction reaction activity were carried out at neutral pH, which is relevant to microbial fuel cell applications, and activity trends are discussed in light of catalyst morphology and composition. Tests of the electrocatalyst using microbial fuel cell devices indicate that optimization of the nanocarbon scaffold for the Pt-free carbon-based electrocatalysts results in maximum power densities that are 25% better than those of Pt/C cathodes, at a fraction of the materials costs. Therefore, the proposed Fe/N-carbon catalysts are promising and sustainable high-performance cathodic materials for microbial fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Iannaci
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Swapnil Ingle
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Carlota Domínguez
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mariangela Longhi
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Chimica, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Soraya Ababou-Girard
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Institut de Physique de Rennes, UMR 6251, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Frédéric Barrière
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Paula E Colavita
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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4
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Iannaci A, Myles A, Philippon T, Barrière F, Scanlan EM, Colavita PE. Controlling the Carbon-Bio Interface via Glycan Functional Adlayers for Applications in Microbial Fuel Cell Bioanodes. Molecules 2021; 26:4755. [PMID: 34443344 PMCID: PMC8400688 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface modification of electrodes with glycans was investigated as a strategy for modulating the development of electrocatalytic biofilms for microbial fuel cell applications. Covalent attachment of phenyl-mannoside and phenyl-lactoside adlayers on graphite rod electrodes was achieved via electrochemically assisted grafting of aryldiazonium cations from solution. To test the effects of the specific bio-functionalities, modified and unmodified graphite rods were used as anodes in two-chamber microbial fuel cell devices. Devices were set up with wastewater as inoculum and acetate as nutrient and their performance, in terms of output potential (open circuit and 1 kΩ load) and peak power output, was monitored over two months. The presence of glycans was found to lead to significant differences in startup times and peak power outputs. Lactosides were found to inhibit the development of biofilms when compared to bare graphite. Mannosides were found, instead, to promote exoelectrogenic biofilm adhesion and anode colonization, a finding that is supported by quartz crystal microbalance experiments in inoculum media. These differences were observed despite both adlayers possessing thickness in the nm range and similar hydrophilic character. This suggests that specific glycan-mediated bioaffinity interactions can be leveraged to direct the development of biotic electrocatalysts in bioelectrochemical systems and microbial fuel cell devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Iannaci
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; (A.I.); (A.M.)
| | - Adam Myles
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; (A.I.); (A.M.)
| | - Timothé Philippon
- Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes-UMR 6226, CNRS, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France;
| | - Frédéric Barrière
- Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes-UMR 6226, CNRS, Univ Rennes, F-35000 Rennes, France;
| | - Eoin M. Scanlan
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; (A.I.); (A.M.)
| | - Paula E. Colavita
- School of Chemistry, CRANN and AMBER Research Centres, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland; (A.I.); (A.M.)
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Uniform Distribution of Pd on GO-C Catalysts for Enhancing the Performance of Air Cathode Microbial Fuel Cell. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11080888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal, as a high-performance electrode catalyst, is a research hotspot in the construction of a high-performance microbial fuel cell (MFC). However, metal catalyst nanoparticles and their dispersed carriers are prone to aggregation, producing catalytic electrodes with inferior qualities. In this study, Pd is uniformly dispersed on the graphene framework supported by carbon black to form nanocomposite catalysts (Pd/GO-C catalysts). The effect of the palladium loading amount in the catalyst on the catalytic performance of the air cathode was further studied. The optimized metal loading afforded a reduced resistance and improved accessibility of Pd particles for the ORR. The maximum current output of the 0.250 Pd (mg/cm2) MFC was 1645 mA/m2, which is 4.2-fold higher than that of the carbon paper cathode. Overall, our findings provide a novel protocol for the preparation of high-efficient ORR catalyst for MFCs.
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Priyadarshini M, Ahmad A, Das S, Ghangrekar MM. Application of microbial electrochemical technologies for the treatment of petrochemical wastewater with concomitant valuable recovery: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 29:61783-61802. [PMID: 34231137 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14944-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Petrochemical industry is one of the major and rapidly growing industry that generates a variety of toxic and recalcitrant organic pollutants as by-products, which are not only harmful to the aquatic animals but also affects human health. The majority of the components of petrochemical wastewater (PW) are carcinogenic, genotoxic and phytotoxic in nature; hence, this complex wastewater generated from different petrochemical processes should be efficiently treated prior to its disposal in natural water bodies. The established technologies like advanced oxidation, membrane bioreactor, electrocoagulation and activated sludge process employed for the treatment of PW are highly energy intensive and incurs high capital and operation cost. Moreover, these technologies are not effective in completely eliminating petroleum hydrocarbons present in PW. Thus, to reduce the energy requirement and also to transform the chemical energy trapped in these organic matters present in this wastewater into bioelectricity and other value-added products, microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) can be efficaciously used, which would also compensate the treatment cost by transforming these pollutants into bioenergy and valuables. In this regard, this review elucidates the feasibility and application of different METs as an appropriate alternative for the treatment of PW. Furthermore, the numerous bottlenecks towards the real-life application and commercialization of pioneering METs have also been articulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monali Priyadarshini
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Azhan Ahmad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Sovik Das
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Makarand Madhao Ghangrekar
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India. .,Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
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Priyadarshini M, Ahmad A, Das S, Ghangrekar MM. Metal organic frameworks as emergent oxygen-reducing cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells: a review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13762-021-03499-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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8
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Iron-Based Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion: Effect of Ball Milling on Oxygen Reduction Activity. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10155278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we synthesized new materials based on Fe(II) phthalocyanine (FePc), urea and carbon black pearls (BP), called Fe-N-C, as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral solution. The electrocatalysts were prepared by combining ball-milling and pyrolysis treatments, which affected the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and electrocatalytic activity toward ORR, and stability was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Ball-milling allowed us to increase the ECSA, and the ORR activity as compared to the Fe-N-C sample obtained without any ball-milling. The effect of a subsequent pyrolysis treatment after ball-milling further improved the electrocatalytic stability of the materials. The set of results indicated that combining ball-milling time and pyrolysis treatments allowed us to obtain Fe-N-C catalysts with high catalytic activity toward ORR and stability which makes them suitable for microbial fuel cell applications.
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9
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Low temperature synthesis of pure and Fe-doped HfSiO4: Determination of Si and Fe fractions by neutron activation analysis. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2018.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Noori MT, Tiwari BR, Ghangrekar MM, Min B. Azadirachta indica leaf-extract-assisted synthesis of CoO–NiO mixed metal oxide for application in a microbial fuel cell as a cathode catalyst. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9se00661c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a highly efficient yet low-cost mixed transition metal oxide of Ni and Co as CoO–NiO was synthesized using Azadirachta indica leaf extract as a bioactive chelating agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. T. Noori
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Kyung Hee University
- Yongin-si
- South Korea
| | - B. R. Tiwari
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Kharagpur – 721302
- India
| | - M. M. Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Kharagpur – 721302
- India
| | - Booki Min
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering
- Kyung Hee University
- Yongin-si
- South Korea
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11
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Synthesis of Tungstate Oxide/Bismuth Tungstate Composite and Application in Microbial Fuel Cell as Superior Low-Cost Cathode Catalyst than Platinum. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY 2018. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0781813jes] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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12
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Majidi MR, Shahbazi Farahani F, Hosseini M, Ahadzadeh I. Low-cost nanowired α-MnO 2/C as an ORR catalyst in air-cathode microbial fuel cell. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 125:38-45. [PMID: 30261369 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, low cost α-MnO2 nanowires and α-MnO2 nanowires supported on carbon Vulcan (α-MnO2/C) have been synthesized via a simple and facile hydrothermal method for application in microbial fuel cells. The prepared samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Electrocatalytic activities of the samples have been evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a neutral phosphate buffer solution. EIS was performed at different potentials to gain further insight into the kinetic properties of α-MnO2/C. Both catalysts were used in air cathode microbial fuel cells to achieve power densities of 180 and 111 mWm-2 for α-MnO2/C and pristine α-MnO2 nanowires, respectively. α-MnO2/C functions as a good and economical alternative for Pt free catalysts in practical MFC applications, as shown by the findings of stability test and voltage generation cycles in long-term operation of MFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Reza Majidi
- Deptartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, 51664 Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Shahbazi Farahani
- Deptartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, 51664 Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mirghasem Hosseini
- Electrochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Chemistry, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Iraj Ahadzadeh
- Research Laboratory for Electrochemical Instrumentation and Energy Systems, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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Santoro C, Kodali M, Herrera S, Serov A, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Power generation in microbial fuel cells using platinum group metal-free cathode catalyst: Effect of the catalyst loading on performance and costs. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 378:169-175. [PMID: 29527091 PMCID: PMC5840685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst with different loadings was investigated in air breathing electrodes microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Firstly, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the catalyst was investigated by rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) setup with different catalyst loadings. The results showed that higher loading led to an increased in the half wave potential and the limiting current and to a further decrease in the peroxide production. The electrons transferred also slightly increased with the catalyst loading up to the value of ≈3.75. This variation probably indicates that the catalyst investigated follow a 2x2e- transfer mechanism. The catalyst was integrated within activated carbon pellet-like air-breathing cathode in eight different loadings varying between 0.1 mgcm-2 and 10 mgcm-2. Performance were enhanced gradually with the increase in catalyst content. Power densities varied between 90 ± 9 μWcm-2 and 262 ± 4 μWcm-2 with catalyst loading of 0.1 mgcm-2 and 10 mgcm-2 respectively. Cost assessments related to the catalyst performance are presented. An increase in catalyst utilization led to an increase in power generated with a substantial increase in the whole costs. Also a decrease in performance due to cathode/catalyst deterioration over time led to a further increase in the costs.
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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, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Sergio Herrera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - 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 Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 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. [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: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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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Santoro C, Rojas-Carbonell S, Awais R, Gokhale R, Kodali M, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Influence of platinum group metal-free catalyst synthesis on microbial fuel cell performance. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 375:11-20. [PMID: 29398775 PMCID: PMC5738968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) ORR catalysts from the Fe-N-C family were synthesized using sacrificial support method (SSM) technique. Six experimental steps were used during the synthesis: 1) mixing the precursor, the metal salt, and the silica template; 2) first pyrolysis in hydrogen rich atmosphere; 3) ball milling; 4) etching the silica template using harsh acids environment; 5) the second pyrolysis in ammonia rich atmosphere; 6) final ball milling. Three independent batches were fabricated following the same procedure. The effect of each synthetic parameters on the surface chemistry and the electrocatalytic performance in neutral media was studied. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) experiment showed an increase in half wave potential and limiting current after the pyrolysis steps. The additional improvement was observed after etching and performing the second pyrolysis. A similar trend was seen in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), in which the power output increased from 167 ± 2 μW cm-2 to 214 ± 5 μW cm-2. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to evaluate surface chemistry of catalysts obtained after each synthetic step. The changes in chemical composition were directly correlated with the improvements in performance. We report outstanding reproducibility in both composition and performance among the three different batches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - 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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Kodali M, Santoro C, Herrera S, Serov A, Atanassov P. Bimetallic platinum group metal-free catalysts for high power generating microbial fuel cells. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 366:18-26. [PMID: 29097833 PMCID: PMC5637930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.08.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
M1-M2-N-C bimetallic catalysts with M1 as Fe and Co and M2 as Fe, Co, Ni and Mn were synthesized and investigated as cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The catalysts were prepared by Sacrificial Support Method in which silica was the template and aminoantipyrine (AAPyr) was the organic precursor. The electro-catalytic properties of these catalysts were investigated by using rotating ring disk (RRDE) electrode setup in neutral electrolyte. Fe-Mn-AAPyr outperformed Fe-AAPyr that showed higher performances compared to Fe-Co-AAPyr and Fe-Ni-AAPyr in terms of half-wave potential. In parallel, Fe-Co-AAPyr, Co-Mn-AAPyr and Co-Ni-AAPyr outperformed Co-AAPyr. The presence of Co within the catalyst contributed to high peroxide production not desired for efficient ORR. The catalytic capability of the catalysts integrated in air-breathing cathode was also verified. It was found that Co-based catalysts showed an improvement in performance by the addition of second metal compared to simple Co- AAPyr. Fe-based bimetallic materials didn't show improvement compared to Fe-AAPyr with the exception of Fe-Mn-AAPyr catalyst that had the highest performance recorded in this study with maximum power density of 221.8 ± 6.6 μWcm-2. Activated carbon (AC) was used as control and had the lowest performances in RRDE and achieved only 95.6 ± 5.8 μWcm-2 when tested in MFC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Talarposhti MR, Kodali M, Gokhale R, Serov A, Merino-Jimenez I, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Microbial Desalination Cells with Efficient Platinum-Group-Metal-Free Cathode Catalysts. ChemElectroChem 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201700626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM); University of New Mexico; Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
| | - Morteza Rezaei Talarposhti
- The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM); University of New Mexico; Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM); University of New Mexico; Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
| | - Rohan Gokhale
- The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM); University of New Mexico; Albuquerque NM 87131 USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- The 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, Block T, UWE; Coldharbour Lane Bristol BS16 1QY UK
| | - 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
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- The 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, Gokhale R, Mecheri B, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Design of Iron(II) Phthalocyanine-Derived Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for High-Power-Density Microbial Fuel Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2017; 10:3243-3251. [PMID: 28643863 PMCID: PMC5697675 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201700851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) deposited onto two different carbonaceous supports was synthesized through an unconventional pyrolysis-free method. The obtained materials were studied in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media through incorporation in an air-breathing cathode structure and tested in an operating microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuration. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) analysis revealed high performances of the Fe-based catalysts compared with that of activated carbon (AC). The FePc supported on Black-Pearl carbon black [Fe-BP(N)] exhibits the highest performance in terms of its more positive onset potential, positive shift of the half-wave potential, and higher limiting current as well as the highest power density in the operating MFC of (243±7) μW cm-2 , which was 33 % higher than that of FePc supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNT(N); 182±5 μW cm-2 ). The power density generated by Fe-BP(N) was 92 % higher than that of the MFC utilizing AC; therefore, the utilization of platinum group metal-free catalysts can boost the performances of MFCs significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Rohan Gokhale
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
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Jadhav DA, Deshpande PA, Ghangrekar MM. Enhancing the performance of single-chambered microbial fuel cell using manganese/palladium and zirconium/palladium composite cathode catalysts. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 238:568-574. [PMID: 28478376 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dipak A Jadhav
- School of Water Resources, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Parag A Deshpande
- Quantum and Molecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Makarand M Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
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Sawant SY, Han TH, Cho MH. Metal-Free Carbon-Based Materials: Promising Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Microbial Fuel Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 18:E25. [PMID: 28029116 PMCID: PMC5297660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising green approach for wastewater treatment with the simultaneous advantage of energy production. Among the various limiting factors, the cathodic limitation, with respect to performance and cost, is one of the main obstacles to the practical applications of MFCs. Despite the high performance of platinum and other metal-based cathodes, their practical use is limited by their high cost, low stability, and environmental toxicity. Oxygen is the most favorable electron acceptor in the case of MFCs, which reduces to water through a complicated oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Carbon-based ORR catalysts possessing high surface area and good electrical conductivity improve the ORR kinetics by lowering the cathodic overpotential. Recently, a range of carbon-based materials have attracted attention for their exceptional ORR catalytic activity and high stability. Doping the carbon texture with a heteroatom improved their ORR activity remarkably through the favorable adsorption of oxygen and weaker molecular bonding. This review provides better insight into ORR catalysis for MFCs and the properties, performance, and applicability of various metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts in MFCs to find the most appropriate cathodic catalyst for the practical applications. The approaches for improvement, key challenges, and future opportunities in this field are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh Y Sawant
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
| | - Thi Hiep Han
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
| | - Moo Hwan Cho
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
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