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Li C, Yi K, Hu S, Yang W. Cathodic biofouling control by microbial separators in air-breathing microbial fuel cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 15:100251. [PMID: 36923605 PMCID: PMC10009452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) incorporating air-breathing cathodes have emerged as a promising eco-friendly wastewater treatment technology capable of operating on an energy-free basis. However, the inevitable biofouling of these devices rapidly decreases cathodic catalytic activity and also reduces the stability of MFCs during long-term operation. The present work developed a novel microbial separator for use in air-breathing MFCs that protects cathodic catalytic activity. In these modified devices, microbes preferentially grow on the microbial separator rather than the cathodic surface such that biofouling is prevented. Trials showed that this concept provided low charge transfer and mass diffusion resistance values during the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction of 4.6 ± 1.3 and 17.3 ± 6.8 Ω, respectively, after prolonged operation. The maximum power density was found to be stable at 1.06 ± 0.07 W m-2 throughout a long-term test and the chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency was increased to 92% compared with a value of 83% for MFCs exhibiting serious biofouling. In addition, a cathode combined with a microbial separator demonstrated less cross-cathode diffusion of oxygen to the anolyte. This effect indirectly induced the growth of electroactive bacteria and produced higher currents in air-breathing MFCs. Most importantly, the present microbial separator concept enhances both the lifespan and economics of air-breathing MFCs by removing the need to replace or regenerate the cathode during long-term operation. These results indicate that the installation of a microbial separator is an effective means of stabilizing power generation and ensuring the cost-effective performance of air-breathing MFCs intended for future industrial applications.
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2
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Li D, Sun Y, Shi Y, Wang Z, Okeke S, Yang L, Zhang W, Xiao L. Structure evolution of air cathodes and their application in electrochemical sensor development and wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161689. [PMID: 36682546 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cathode structure and material are the most important factors to determine the performance and cost of single chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC), which is the most promising type of MFC technology. Since the first air cathode was invented in 2004, five major structures (1-layer, 2-layer, 3-layer, 4-layer and separator-support) have been invented and modified to fit new material, improve power performance and lower MFC cost. This paper reviewed the structure evolution of air cathodes in past 18 years. The benefits and drawbacks of these structures, in terms of power generation, material cost, fabrication procedure and modification process are analyzed. The practical application cases (e.g., sensor development and wastewater treatment) employed with different cathode structures were also summarized and analyzed. Based on practical performance and long-term cost analysis, the 2-layer cathode demonstrated much greater potential over other structures. Compared with traditional activated-sludge technology, the cost of an MFC-based system is becoming competitive when employing with 2-layer structure. This review not only provides a detailed development history of air cathode but also reveals the advantages/disadvantages of air cathode with different structures, which will promote the research and application of air-cathode MFC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunzhu Li
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Yifan Sun
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Yunhong Shi
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Zeena Wang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Saviour Okeke
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Luming Yang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Liwen Xiao
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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3
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Rao A, Kaushik A, Kuppurangan G, Selvaraj G. Characterization and application of novel fly ash blended ceramic membrane in MFC for low-cost and sustainable wastewater treatment and power generation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:45872-45887. [PMID: 36707477 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Field-scale application of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology faces a major constraint due to the widely used high-cost proton exchange membrane Nafion, prompting lately, the development of ceramic membranes using different clay minerals. In the present study, the characteristics and applicability of a novel ceramic membrane fabricated using potter's clay (C) blended with varying proportions (0, 5, 10, and 20 wt%) of fly ash (FA), designated as CFA0, CFA5, CFA10, and CFA20, were assessed for cost-effective and sustainable use in MFC. On assessing the properties of the membrane, CFA10 was found to exhibit superior quality with fine pore size distribution (average 0.49 μm) favoring higher water uptake and less oxygen diffusion. The CFA10 membrane showed a maximum proton mass transfer coefficient (4.32 ± 0.04 × 10-5 cm/s) that was about three times that of the control CFA0. The oxygen mass transfer coefficient of CFA10 was 5.13 ± 0.12 × 10-5 cm/s, which was about 40% less than in the control. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of CFA membrane revealed the richness of quartz, which facilitates proton conductance and water retention. The CFA10 membrane fitted MFC demonstrated a peak power output of 4.57 W/m3 (twice that in CFA0) with an average of 80.02 ± 0.86% COD removal and 68.03 ± 0.13% coulombic efficiency in a long-term study indicating its improved applicability and durability. Electrochemical kinetics involving cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) also affirmed the efficacy of CFA10 membrane in MFC showing peak current output of 13.95 mA and low ohmic resistance (74.2 Ω). The novel (CFA10) ceramic membrane amalgamated with the coal fly ash, a waste of concern, shows promise for high MFC performance at a much reduced (98% less) cost that can be used for sustainable scale-up of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Rao
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Anubha Kaushik
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, 110078, India.
| | - Gunaseelan Kuppurangan
- Sustainable Fuel Cells Technology Lab, Centre for Pollution Control & Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605 014, India
| | - Gajalakshmi Selvaraj
- Sustainable Fuel Cells Technology Lab, Centre for Pollution Control & Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605 014, India
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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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Effectiveness of biophotovoltaics system modified with fuller-clay composite separators for chromium removal. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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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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Pasternak G, de Rosset A, Tyszkiewicz N, Widera B, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Prevention and removal of membrane and separator biofouling in bioelectrochemical systems - a comprehensive review. iScience 2022; 25:104510. [PMID: 35720268 PMCID: PMC9204736 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have made significant progress in recent years in all aspects of their technology. BESs usually work with a membrane or a separator, which is one of their most critical components affecting performance. Quite often, biofilm from either the anolyte or catholyte forms on the membrane, which can negatively affect its performance. In critical cases, the long-term power performance observed for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has dropped by over 90%. Surface modification and composite material approaches as well as chemical and physical cleaning techniques involving surfactants, acids, hydroxides, and ultrasounds have been successfully implemented to combat biofilm formation. Surface modifications produced up to 6–7 times higher power performance in the long-term, whereas regeneration strategies resulted in up to 100% recovery of original performance. Further studies include tools such as fluid dynamics-based design and plasma cleaning. The biofouling area is still underexplored in the field of bioelectrochemistry and requires systematic improvement. Therefore, this review summarizes the most recent knowledge with the aim of helping the research and engineering community select the best strategy and discuss further perspectives for combating the undesirable biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Pasternak
- Department of Process Engineering and Technology of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-344 Wrocław, Poland
- Corresponding author
| | - Aleksander de Rosset
- Department of Process Engineering and Technology of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-344 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Natalia Tyszkiewicz
- Department of Process Engineering and Technology of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-344 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bartosz Widera
- Department of Process Engineering and Technology of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-344 Wrocław, Poland
| | - John Greenman
- Centre for Research in Biosciences, Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Centre for Research in Biosciences, Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
- Water and Environmental Engineering Group, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ Southampton, UK
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8
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Greenman J, Gajda I, You J, Mendis BA, Obata O, Pasternak G, Ieropoulos I. Microbial fuel cells and their electrified biofilms. Biofilm 2021; 3:100057. [PMID: 34729468 PMCID: PMC8543385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) represent a wide range of different biofilm-based bioreactors that includes microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) and microbial desalination cells (MDCs). The first described bioelectrical bioreactor is the Microbial Fuel Cell and with the exception of MDCs, it is the only type of BES that actually produces harvestable amounts of electricity, rather than requiring an electrical input to function. For these reasons, this review article, with previously unpublished supporting data, focusses primarily on MFCs. Of relevance is the architecture of these bioreactors, the type of membrane they employ (if any) for separating the chambers along with the size, as well as the geometry and material composition of the electrodes which support biofilms. Finally, the structure, properties and growth rate of the microbial biofilms colonising anodic electrodes, are of critical importance for rendering these devices, functional living 'engines' for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Jiseon You
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Buddhi Arjuna Mendis
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Oluwatosin Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
| | | | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, UK
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9
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Sustainable approach for wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells and green energy generation – A comprehensive review. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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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: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [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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Ramirez-Nava J, Martínez-Castrejón M, García-Mesino RL, López-Díaz JA, Talavera-Mendoza O, Sarmiento-Villagrana A, Rojano F, Hernández-Flores G. The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:738. [PMID: 34677504 PMCID: PMC8539572 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11100738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices focused on bioenergy generation and organic matter removal carried out by microorganisms under anoxic environments. In these types of systems, the anodic oxidation reaction is catalyzed by anaerobic microorganisms, while the cathodic reduction reaction can be carried out biotically or abiotically. Membranes as separators in MFCs are the primary requirements for optimal electrochemical and microbiological performance. MFC configuration and operation are similar to those of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)-both having at least one anode and one cathode split by a membrane or separator. The Nafion® 117 (NF-117) membrane, made from perfluorosulfonic acid, is a membrane used as a separator in PEMFCs. By analogy of the operation between electrochemical systems and MFCs, NF-117 membranes have been widely used as separators in MFCs. The main disadvantage of this type of membrane is its high cost; membranes in MFCs can represent up to 60% of the MFC's total cost. This is one of the challenges in scaling up MFCs: finding alternative membranes or separators with low cost and good electrochemical characteristics. The aim of this work is to critically review state-of-the-art membranes and separators used in MFCs. The scope of this review includes: (i) membrane functions in MFCs, (ii) most-used membranes, (iii) membrane cost and efficiency, and (iv) membrane-less MFCs. Currently, there are at least 20 different membranes or separators proposed and evaluated for MFCs, from basic salt bridges to advanced synthetic polymer-based membranes, including ceramic and unconventional separator materials. Studies focusing on either low cost or the use of natural polymers for proton-exchange membranes (PEM) are still scarce. Alternatively, in some works, MFCs have been operated without membranes; however, significant decrements in Coulombic efficiency were found. As the type of membrane affects the performance and total cost of MFCs, it is recommended that research efforts are increased in order to develop new, more economic membranes that exhibit favorable properties and allow for satisfactory cell performance at the same time. The current state of the art of membranes for MFCs addressed in this review will undoubtedly serve as a key insight for future research related to this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Ramirez-Nava
- Facultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, Mexico; (J.R.-N.); (R.L.G.-M.); (J.A.L.-D.)
| | - Mariana Martínez-Castrejón
- Centro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco 39640, Mexico;
| | - Rocío Lley García-Mesino
- Facultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, Mexico; (J.R.-N.); (R.L.G.-M.); (J.A.L.-D.)
| | - Jazmin Alaide López-Díaz
- Facultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, Mexico; (J.R.-N.); (R.L.G.-M.); (J.A.L.-D.)
| | - Oscar Talavera-Mendoza
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex Hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo 40323, Mexico;
| | - Alicia Sarmiento-Villagrana
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Periférico Poniente s/n, Frente a la Colonia Villa de Guadalupe, Iguala de la Independencia 40040, Mexico;
| | - Fernando Rojano
- Gus R. Douglass Institute, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV 25112, USA;
| | - 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 40323, Mexico
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12
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Raychaudhuri A, Sahoo RN, Behera M. Application of clayware ceramic separator modified with silica in microbial fuel cell for bioelectricity generation during rice mill wastewater treatment. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 84:66-76. [PMID: 34280155 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ceramic separators have recently been investigated as low-cost, robust, and sustainable separators for application in microbial fuel cells (MFC). In the present study, an attempt was made to develop a low-cost MFC employing a clayware ceramic separator modified with silica. The properties of separators with varying silica content (10%-40% w/w) were evaluated in terms of oxygen and proton diffusion. The membrane containing 30% silica exhibited improved performance compared to the unmodified membrane. Two identical MFCs, fabricated using ceramic separators with 30% silica content (MFCS-30) and without silica (MFCC), were operated at hydraulic retention time of 12 h with real rice mill wastewater with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 3,200 ± 50 mg/L. The maximum volumetric power density of 791.72 mW/m3 and coulombic efficiency of 35.77% was obtained in MFCS-30, which was 60.4% and 48.5%, respectively, higher than that of MFCC. The maximum COD and phenol removal efficiency of 76.2% and 58.2%, respectively, were obtained in MFCS-30. MFC fabricated with modified ceramic separator demonstrated higher power generation and pollutant removal. The presence of hygroscopic silica in the ceramic separator improved its performance in terms of hydration properties and proton transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryama Raychaudhuri
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul, Khordha, Odisha 752050, India
| | - Rudra Narayan Sahoo
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul, Khordha, Odisha 752050, India
| | - Manaswini Behera
- School of Infrastructure, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul, Khordha, Odisha 752050, India
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Raychaudhuri A, Behera M. Enhancement of bioelectricity generation by integrating acidogenic compartment into a dual-chambered microbial fuel cell during rice mill wastewater treatment. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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14
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Salar-García M, Walter X, Gurauskis J, de Ramón Fernández A, Ieropoulos I. Effect of iron oxide content and microstructural porosity on the performance of ceramic membranes as microbial fuel cell separators. Electrochim Acta 2021; 367:137385. [PMID: 33518777 PMCID: PMC7829595 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.137385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Suitable bioelectrochemical application of ceramic clays with varying Fe2O3 content. 5.75% of Fe2O3 and 1100 °C of sintering temperature allow MFCs to reach 1.045 mW. The Fe2O3 content mitigates the effect of porosity features on the MFC power output. Good stability of the MFCs working during 65 days in continuous mode.
Ceramic materials based on naturally occurring clays are a low cost and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial polymer-based membranes in bioelectrochemical systems. In this work, ceramic membranes containing different amounts of iron oxide (1.06, 2.76 and 5.75 vol.%) and sintered at different temperatures (1100, 1200 and 1300 °C) have been elaborated and tested as separators in urine-fed microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The results reveal that the presence of iron oxide in the ceramic membrane composition increases the structural porosity and reduces the pore size for the three temperatures investigated. On the other hand, it was also observed that the iron content mitigates the negative effect of the high sintering temperature on the power performance of the MFCs. In the case of the ceramic membranes sintered at 1300 °C, power output improved ca. 10-fold when the iron oxide content in the membrane increased from 1.06 up to 5.75 vol.% (30.9 and 286.6 µW, respectively). Amongst the different combinations of iron phase content and sintering temperatures, the maximum power output was obtained by MFCs working with separators containing 5.75 vol. % of iron oxide and sintered at 1100 °C (1.045 mW). Finally, the system was stable for 65 days, which supports the long-term functionality of the different materials assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.J. Salar-García
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
- Corresponding authors.
| | - X.A. Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
| | - J. Gurauskis
- ARAID Foundation, Aragón Materials Science Institute (CSIC-Unizar), Zaragoza E-50009, Spain
| | | | - I. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
- Corresponding authors.
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15
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Salar-Garcia MJ, Obata O, Kurt H, Chandran K, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. Impact of Inoculum Type on the Microbial Community and Power Performance of Urine-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8121921. [PMID: 33287204 PMCID: PMC7761717 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8121921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are the driving force of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, which benefits from their natural ability to degrade organic matter and generate electricity. The development of an efficient anodic biofilm has a significant impact on the power performance of this technology so it is essential to understand the effects of the inoculum nature on the anodic bacterial diversity and establish its relationship with the power performance of the system. Thus, this work aims at analysing the impact of 3 different types of inoculum: (i) stored urine, (ii) sludge and (iii) effluent from a working MFC, on the microbial community of the anodic biofilm and therefore on the power performance of urine-fed ceramic MFCs. The results showed that MFCs inoculated with sludge outperformed the rest and reached a maximum power output of 40.38 mW·m-2anode (1.21 mW). The power performance of these systems increased over time whereas the power output by MFCs inoculated either with stored urine or effluent decreased after day 30. These results are directly related to the establishment and adaptation of the microbial community on the anode during the assay. Results showed the direct relationship between the bacterial community composition, originating from the different inocula, and power generation within the MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Salar-Garcia
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (O.O.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.S.-G.); (I.A.I.)
| | - Oluwatosin Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (O.O.); (J.G.)
| | - Halil Kurt
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; (H.K.); (K.C.)
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; (H.K.); (K.C.)
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (O.O.); (J.G.)
| | - Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (O.O.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.J.S.-G.); (I.A.I.)
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16
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17
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Frattini D, Accardo G, Kwon Y. Perovskite ceramic membrane separator with improved biofouling resistance for yeast-based microbial fuel cells. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.117843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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18
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Daud SM, Daud WRW, Bakar MHA, Kim BH, Somalu MR, Muchtar A, Jahim JM, Muhammed Ali SA. Low-cost novel clay earthenware as separator in microbial electrochemical technology for power output improvement. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2020; 43:1369-1379. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-020-02331-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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19
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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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20
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Salar-García MJ, Ieropoulos I. Optimisation of the internal structure of ceramic membranes for electricity production in urine-fed microbial fuel cells. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2020; 451:227741. [PMID: 32201453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.227761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The need to find a feasible alternative to commercial membranes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) poses an important challenge for the practical implementation of this technology. This work aims to analyse the influence of the internal structure of low-cost terracotta clay-based membranes on the behaviour of MFCs. To this purpose, 9 different combinations of temperature and time were used to prepare 27 MFC separators. The results show that the temperature has a significant effect on both porosity and pore size distribution, whereas the ramp time do not show a significant influence on these parameters. It was observed that kilning temperatures higher than 1030 °C dramatically reduce the porosity of the samples, reaching a minimum value of 16.85%, whereas the pore size increases as the temperature also increases. Among the membranes with similar porosities, those with a medium pore size distribution exhibited the lowest bulk resistance allowing MFCs to reach the highest power output (94.67 μW cm-2). These results demonstrate the importance of not only the porosity but also the pore size distribution of the separator in terms of MFC performance and longevity, which for these experiments was for 90 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Salar-García
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - I Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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21
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Salar-García M, Ieropoulos I. Optimisation of the internal structure of ceramic membranes for electricity production in urine-fed microbial fuel cells. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2020; 451:227741. [PMID: 32201453 PMCID: PMC7074064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.227741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The need to find a feasible alternative to commercial membranes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) poses an important challenge for the practical implementation of this technology. This work aims to analyse the influence of the internal structure of low-cost terracotta clay-based membranes on the behaviour of MFCs. To this purpose, 9 different combinations of temperature and time were used to prepare 27 MFC separators. The results show that the temperature has a significant effect on both porosity and pore size distribution, whereas the ramp time do not show a significant influence on these parameters. It was observed that kilning temperatures higher than 1030 °C dramatically reduce the porosity of the samples, reaching a minimum value of 16.85%, whereas the pore size increases as the temperature also increases. Among the membranes with similar porosities, those with a medium pore size distribution exhibited the lowest bulk resistance allowing MFCs to reach the highest power output (94.67 μW cm-2). These results demonstrate the importance of not only the porosity but also the pore size distribution of the separator in terms of MFC performance and longevity, which for these experiments was for 90 days.
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22
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Performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells employing ceramic separator of different surface area modified with mineral cation exchanger. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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23
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Recent progress and developments in membrane materials for microbial electrochemistry technologies: A review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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24
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A Comprehensive Study of Custom-Made Ceramic Separators for Microbial Fuel Cells: Towards “Living” Bricks. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12214071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Towards the commercialisation of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, well-performing, cost-effective, and sustainable separators are being developed. Ceramic is one of the promising materials for this purpose. In this study, ceramic separators made of three different clay types were tested to investigate the effect of ceramic material properties on their performance. The best-performing ceramic separators were white ceramic-based spotty membranes, which produced maximum power outputs of 717.7 ± 29.9 µW (white ceramic-based with brown spots, 71.8 W·m−3) and 715.3 ± 73.0 µW (white ceramic-based with red spots, 71.5 W·m−3). For single material ceramic types, red ceramic separator generated the highest power output of 670.5 ± 64. 8 µW (67.1 W·m−3). Porosity investigation revealed that white and red ceramics are more porous and have smaller pores compared to brown ceramic. Brown ceramic separators underperformed initially but seem more favourable for long-term operation due to bigger pores and thus less tendency of membrane fouling. This study presents ways to enhance the function of ceramic separators in MFCs such as the novel spotty design as well as fine-tuning of porosity and pore size.
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25
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Removal of Hepatitis B virus surface HBsAg and core HBcAg antigens using microbial fuel cells producing electricity from human urine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11787. [PMID: 31409853 PMCID: PMC6692344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48128-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical technology is emerging as an alternative way of treating waste and converting this directly to electricity. Intensive research on these systems is ongoing but it currently lacks the evaluation of possible environmental transmission of enteric viruses originating from the waste stream. In this study, for the first time we investigated this aspect by assessing the removal efficiency of hepatitis B core and surface antigens in cascades of continuous flow microbial fuel cells. The log-reduction (LR) of surface antigen (HBsAg) reached a maximum value of 1.86 ± 0.20 (98.6% reduction), which was similar to the open circuit control and degraded regardless of the recorded current. Core antigen (HBcAg) was much more resistant to treatment and the maximal LR was equal to 0.229 ± 0.028 (41.0% reduction). The highest LR rate observed for HBsAg was 4.66 ± 0.19 h−1 and for HBcAg 0.10 ± 0.01 h−1. Regression analysis revealed correlation between hydraulic retention time, power and redox potential on inactivation efficiency, also indicating electroactive behaviour of biofilm in open circuit control through the snorkel-effect. The results indicate that microbial electrochemical technologies may be successfully applied to reduce the risk of environmental transmission of hepatitis B virus but also open up the possibility of testing other viruses for wider implementation.
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26
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Abstract
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising environmental biotechnology that has been proposed mainly for power production and wastewater treatment. Though small power output constrains its application for directly operating most electrical devices, great progress in its chemical, electrochemical, and microbiological aspects has expanded the applications of MFCs into other areas such as the generation of chemicals (e.g., formate or methane), bioremediation of contaminated soils, water desalination, and biosensors. In recent decades, MFC-based biosensors have drawn increasing attention because of their simplicity and sustainability, with applications ranging from the monitoring of water quality (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), toxicants) to the detection of air quality (e.g., carbon monoxide, formaldehyde). In this review, we summarize the status quo of MFC-based biosensors, putting emphasis on BOD and toxicity detection. Furthermore, this review covers other applications of MFC-based biosensors, such as DO and microbial activity. Further, challenges and prospects of MFC-based biosensors are briefly discussed.
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27
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Cui Y, Lai B, Tang X. Microbial Fuel Cell-Based Biosensors. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2019; 9:bios9030092. [PMID: 31340591 PMCID: PMC6784372 DOI: 10.3390/bios9030092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising environmental biotechnology that has been proposed mainly for power production and wastewater treatment. Though small power output constrains its application for directly operating most electrical devices, great progress in its chemical, electrochemical, and microbiological aspects has expanded the applications of MFCs into other areas such as the generation of chemicals (e.g., formate or methane), bioremediation of contaminated soils, water desalination, and biosensors. In recent decades, MFC-based biosensors have drawn increasing attention because of their simplicity and sustainability, with applications ranging from the monitoring of water quality (e.g., biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), toxicants) to the detection of air quality (e.g., carbon monoxide, formaldehyde). In this review, we summarize the status quo of MFC-based biosensors, putting emphasis on BOD and toxicity detection. Furthermore, this review covers other applications of MFC-based biosensors, such as DO and microbial activity. Further, challenges and prospects of MFC-based biosensors are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cui
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Bin Lai
- Systems Biotechnology Group, Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Xinhua Tang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
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28
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Mathuriya AS, Pant D. Assessment of expanded polystyrene as a separator in microbial fuel cell. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2019; 40:2052-2061. [PMID: 29384429 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2018.1435740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Separators are considered as an important component in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to facilitate ion transport and to prevent electrode short circuiting. In the present study, expanded polystyrene (EPS) was evaluated for the first time as a separator in a single-chamber air cathode and dual chamber aqueous cathode MFCs. The characteristics and performance of EPS were analyzed and compared with other conventionally used separators used in MFCs and was found to be competitive. Initially, the EPS was less impermeable to protons, resulting in delayed process startup (17 days) and stabilization (57 days), but gradually exhibited improved and stable performance. In the air cathode MFC with the EPS as the separator and domestic wastewater as the substrate, power production was 391 mW/m2, while power output of the aqueous cathode MFC was 328 mW/m2. The characteristics and cost analysis of EPS indicate that it can be a potential candidate as a separator in scaled-up MFC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha Singh Mathuriya
- a Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology, Sharda University , Greater Noida , India
| | - Deepak Pant
- b Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) , Belgium
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29
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Tailoring hydrophilic and porous nature of polysiloxane derived ceramer and ceramic membranes for enhanced bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cell. IONICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11581-019-03083-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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30
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Ahilan V, de Barros CC, Bhowmick GD, Ghangrekar MM, Murshed MM, Wilhelm M, Rezwan K. Microbial fuel cell performance of graphitic carbon functionalized porous polysiloxane based ceramic membranes. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 129:259-269. [PMID: 31247532 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proton-conducting porous ceramic membranes were synthesized via a polymer-derived ceramic route and probed in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Their chemical compositions were altered by adding carbon allotropes including graphene oxide (GO) and multiwall carbon nanotubes into a polysiloxane matrix as filler materials. Physical characteristics of the synthesized membranes such as porosity, hydrophilicity, mechanical stability, ion exchange capacity, and oxygen mass transfer coefficient were determined to investigate the best membrane material for further testing in MFCs. The ion exchange capacity of the membrane increased drastically after adding 0.5 wt% of GO at an increment of 9 fold with respect to that of the non-modified ceramic membrane, while the oxygen mass transfer coefficient of the membrane decreased by 52.6%. The MFC operated with this membrane exhibited a maximum power density of 7.23 W m-3 with a coulombic efficiency of 28.8%, which was significantly higher than the value obtained using polymeric Nafion membrane. Hence, out of all membranes tested in this study the GO-modified polysiloxane based ceramic membranes are found to have a potential to replace Nafion membranes in pilot scale MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Ahilan
- University of Bremen, Advanced Ceramics, Am Biologischen Garten 2, IW3, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Camila Cabral de Barros
- University of Bremen, Advanced Ceramics, Am Biologischen Garten 2, IW3, 28359 Bremen, Germany; Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), 88040-900 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Gourav Dhar Bhowmick
- Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - Makarand M Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, India
| | - M Mangir Murshed
- University of Bremen, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Crystallography, Leobener Straße 7, D-28359 Bremen, Germany; MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Michaela Wilhelm
- University of Bremen, Advanced Ceramics, Am Biologischen Garten 2, IW3, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Kurosch Rezwan
- University of Bremen, Advanced Ceramics, Am Biologischen Garten 2, IW3, 28359 Bremen, Germany; MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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31
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Koók L, Bakonyi P, Harnisch F, Kretzschmar J, Chae KJ, Zhen G, Kumar G, Rózsenberszki T, Tóth G, Nemestóthy N, Bélafi-Bakó K. Biofouling of membranes in microbial electrochemical technologies: Causes, characterization methods and mitigation strategies. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 279:327-338. [PMID: 30765113 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The scope of the review is to discuss the current state of knowledge and lessons learned on biofouling of membrane separators being used for microbial electrochemical technologies (MET). It is illustrated what crucial membrane features have to be considered and how these affect the MET performance, paying particular attention to membrane biofouling. The complexity of the phenomena was demonstrated and thereby, it is shown that membrane qualities related to its surface and inherent material features significantly influence (and can be influenced by) the biofouling process. Applicable methods for assessment of membrane biofouling are highlighted, followed by the detailed literature evaluation. Finally, an outlook on e.g. possible mitigation strategies for membrane biofouling in MET is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Koók
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Péter Bakonyi
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ, Department Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Biochemical Conversion Department, Torgauer Strasse 116, Leipzig 04347, Germany
| | - Kyu-Jung Chae
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, South Korea
| | - Guangyin Zhen
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Rd. 500, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Institute of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Box 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway.
| | - Tamás Rózsenberszki
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Gábor Tóth
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Nándor Nemestóthy
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Katalin Bélafi-Bakó
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
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Guo T, Wang C, Xu P, Feng C, Si S, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Shi M, Yang F, Wang J, Zhang Y. Effects of the Structure of TiO 2 Nanotube Arrays on Its Catalytic Activity for Microbial Fuel Cell. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2019; 3:1800084. [PMID: 31565376 PMCID: PMC6498118 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201800084] [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: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To enhance the microbial fuel cell (MFC) for wastewater treatment and chemical oxygen demand degradation, TiO2 nanotubes arrays (TNA) are successfully synthesized on Ti foil substrate by the anodization process in HF and NH4F solution, respectively (hereafter, denoted as TNA-HF and TNA-NF). The differences between the two kinds of TNA are revealed based on their morphologies and spectroscopic characterizations. It should be highlighted that 3D TNA-NF with an appropriate dimension can make a positive contribution to the high photocatalytic activity. In comparison with the TNA-HF, the 3D TNA-NF sample exhibits a significant enhancement in current generation as the MFC anode. In particular, the TNA-NF performs nearly 1.23 times higher than the TNA-HF, and near twofold higher than the carbon felt. It is found that the two kinds of TiO2-based anodes have different conductivities and corrosion potentials, which are responsible for the difference in their current generation performances. Based on the experimental results, excellent stability, reliability, and low cost, TNA-NF can be considered a promising and scalable MFC bioanode material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Changzheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Ping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Cuimin Feng
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Shuai Si
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Laboratory for Micro‐sized Functional MaterialsCollege of Elementary EducationCapital Normal UniversityBeijing100048P. R. China
| | - Mengtong Shi
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Fengnan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water EnvironmentMinistry of EducationBeijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and NanosystemsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100083P. R. China
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Ieropoulos I, Obata O, Pasternak G, Greenman J. Fate of three bioluminescent pathogenic bacteria fed through a cascade of urine microbial fuel cells. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 46:587-599. [PMID: 30796542 PMCID: PMC6510811 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-019-02153-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is currently gaining recognition as one of the most promising bioenergy technologies of the future. One aspect of this technology that has received little attention is the disinfection of effluents and the fate of pathogenic organisms that find their way into the waste stream. In this study, three independent trials were carried out to evaluate the fate of three bioluminescent pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) introduced into the anodic chamber of a urine-fed cascade of 9 MFCs with matured, electroactive biofilms. These are common examples of enteric human pathogens, which could contaminate urine or waste streams. The results showed that the average power generation in the closed circuit cascade reached 754 ± 16 µW, with an average pathogen log-fold reduction of 6.24 ± 0.63 compared to 2.01 ± 0.26 for the open circuit cascade for all three pathogens. The results suggest that the bio-electrochemical reactions associated with electricity generation were the primary driving force for the inactivation of the introduced pathogens. These findings show that pathogenic organisms introduced into waste streams could be inactivated by the power-generating process within the MFC cascade system, thereby preventing propagation and thus rendering the effluent safer for possible reuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Oluwatosin Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Grzegorz Pasternak
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Faculty of Chemistry Wroclaw, University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
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Pasternak G, Yang Y, Santos BB, Brunello F, Hanczyc MM, Motta A. Regenerated silk fibroin membranes as separators for transparent microbial fuel cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 126:146-155. [PMID: 30597451 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years novel applications of bioelectrochemical systems are exemplified by phototrophic biocathodes, biocompatible enzymatic fuel cells and biodegradable microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, transparent silk fibroin membranes (SFM) with various fibroin content (2%, 4% and 8%) were synthesised and employed as separators in MFCs and compared with standard cation exchange membranes (CEM) as a control. The highest real-time power performance of thin-film SFM was reached by 2%-SFM separators: 25.7 ± 7.4 μW, which corresponds to 68% of the performance of the CEM separators (37.7 ± 3.1 μW). Similarly, 2%-SFM revealed the highest coulombic efficiency of 6.65 ± 1.90%, 74% of the CEM efficiency. Current for 2%-SFM reached 0.25 ± 0.03 mA (86% of CEM control). Decrease of power output was observed after 23 days for 8% and 4% and was a consequence of deterioration of SFMs, determined by physical, chemical and biological studies. This is the first time that economical and transparent silk fibroin polymers were successfully employed in MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Pasternak
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy; Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Technology, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Yuejiao Yang
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research Center, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Bruno Bosquiroli Santos
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy; Engineering School of Lorena, University of São Paulo, 12-602-810 Lorena, SP, Brazil
| | - Federico Brunello
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
| | - Martin M Hanczyc
- Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Polo Scientifico e Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari, Polo B, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy; Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, USA
| | - Antonella Motta
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech Research Center, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Bakonyi P, Koók L, Kumar G, Tóth G, Rózsenberszki T, Nguyen DD, Chang SW, Zhen G, Bélafi-Bakó K, Nemestóthy N. Architectural engineering of bioelectrochemical systems from the perspective of polymeric membrane separators: A comprehensive update on recent progress and future prospects. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Gajda I, Stinchcombe A, Merino-Jimenez I, Pasternak G, Sanchez-Herranz D, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. Miniaturized Ceramic-Based Microbial Fuel Cell for Efficient Power Generation From Urine and Stack Development. FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH 2018; 6:84. [PMID: 33409273 PMCID: PMC7705131 DOI: 10.3389/fenrg.2018.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the challenges in Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology is the improvement of the power output and the lowering of the cost required to scale up the system to reach usable energy levels for real life applications. This can be achieved by stacking multiple MFC units in modules and using cost effective ceramic as a membrane/chassis for the reactor architecture. The main aim of this work is to increase the power output efficiency of the ceramic based MFCs by compacting the design and exploring the ceramic support as the building block for small scale modular multi-unit systems. The comparison of the power output showed that the small reactors outperform the large MFCs by improving the power density reaching up to 20.4 W/m3 (mean value) and 25.7 W/m3 (maximum). This can be related to the increased surface-area-to-volume ratio of the ceramic membrane and a decreased electrode distance. The power performance was also influenced by the type and thickness of the ceramic separator as well as the total surface area of the anode electrode. The study showed that the larger anode electrode area gives an increased power output. The miniaturized design implemented in 560-units MFC stack showed an output up to 245 mW of power and increased power density. Such strategy would allow to utilize the energy locked in urine more efficiently, making MFCs more applicable in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and scale-up-ready for real world implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: Iwona Gajda Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
| | - Andrew Stinchcombe
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Pasternak
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Sanchez-Herranz
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: Iwona Gajda Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
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Pasternak G, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Dynamic evolution of anodic biofilm when maturing under different external resistive loads in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical perspective. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 400:392-401. [PMID: 30739982 PMCID: PMC6358148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate inoculation and maturation may be crucial for shortening the startup time and maximising power output of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), whilst ensuring stable operation. In this study we explore the relationship between electrochemical parameters of MFCs matured under different external resistance (Rext) values (50 Ω - 10 kΩ) using non-synthetic fuel (human urine). Maturing the biofilm under the lower selected Rext results in improved power performance and lowest internal resistance (Rint), whereas using higher Rext results in increased ohmic losses and inferior performance. When the optimal load is applied to the MFCs following maturity, dependence of microbial activity on original Rext values does not change, suggesting an irreversible effect on the biofilm, within the timeframe of the reported experiments. Biofilm microarchitecture is affected by Rext and plays an important role in MFC efficiency. Presence of water channels, EPS and precipitated salts is distinctive for higher Rext and open circuit MFCs. Correlation analysis reveals that the biofilm changes most dynamically in the first 5 weeks of operation and that fixed Rext lefts an electrochemical effect on biofilm performance. Therefore, the initial conditions of the biofilm development can affect its long-term structure, properties and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Pasternak
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
- Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wrocław, Poland
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK.
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
- Corresponding author.
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Erable B, Oliot M, Lacroix R, Bergel A, Serov A, Kodali M, Santoro C, Atanassov P. Iron-Nicarbazin derived platinum group metal-free electrocatalyst in scalable-size air-breathing cathodes for microbial fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 2018; 277:127-135. [PMID: 29970929 PMCID: PMC6004532 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.04.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst based on iron as transitional metal and Nicarbazin (NCB) as low cost organic precursor was synthesized using Sacrificial Support Method (SSM). The catalyst was then incorporated into a large area air-breathing cathode fabricated by pressing with a large diameter pellet die. The electrochemical tests in abiotic conditions revealed that after a couple of weeks of successful operation, the electrode experienced drop in performances in reason of electrolyte leakage, which was not an issue with the smaller electrodes. A decrease in the hydrophobic properties over time and a consequent cathode flooding was suspected to be the cause. On the other side, in the present work, for the first time, it was demonstrated the proof of principle and provided initial guidance for manufacturing MFC electrodes with large geometric areas. The tests in MFCs showed a maximum power density of 1.85 W m-2. The MFCs performances due to the addition of Fe-NCB were much higher compared to the iron-free material. A numerical model using Nernst-Monod and Butler-Volmer equations were used to predict the effect of electrolyte solution conductivity and distance anode-cathode on the overall MFC power output. Considering the existing conditions, the higher overall power predicted was 3.6 mW at 22.2 S m-1 and at inter-electrode distance of 1 cm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Erable
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Manon Oliot
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Rémy Lacroix
- 6T-MIC Ingénieries, 9 rue du développement, 31320, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alain Bergel
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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39
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A novel microbial fuel cell with exchangeable membrane – application of additive manufacturing technology for device fabrication. ACTA INNOVATIONS 2018. [DOI: 10.32933/actainnovations.28.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Research about exploitation the potential of waste and sludge increased drastically in the recent years. One of the most promising alternative methods of waste management is Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), which generate clean bio-electricity using microorganisms. Organic compounds, sewage, municipal solid waste could be used as a source for microbial nutrition. The construction of MFC is one of the most important parameter in laboratory studies and during scale-up. The efficiency of MFC depends on many factors including type of membrane. To obtain optimization in terms of various operating conditions, a prototype of Microbial Fuel Cell with exchangeable membrane was projected and fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) technology. This novel device allows to research effects of different types of separator membranes. Preliminary research showed possibility to produce 3D printed MFC systems.
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Huang L, Lin Z, Quan X, Zhao Q, Yang W, Logan BE. Efficient In Situ Utilization of Caustic for Sequential Recovery and Separation of Sn, Fe, and Cu in Microbial Fuel Cells. ChemElectroChem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201800431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology; Dalian University of Technology; Dalian 116024 China
| | - Zheqian Lin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology; Dalian University of Technology; Dalian 116024 China
| | - Xie Quan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology; Dalian University of Technology; Dalian 116024 China
| | - Qingliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment; Harbin Institute of Technology; Harbin 150090 China
| | - Wulin Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania; 16802 USA
| | - Bruce E. Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering; The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania; 16802 USA
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41
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Neethu B, Bhowmick G, Ghangrekar M. Enhancement of bioelectricity generation and algal productivity in microbial carbon-capture cell using low cost coconut shell as membrane separator. Biochem Eng J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Tremouli A, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Investigation of ceramic MFC stacks for urine energy extraction. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 123:19-25. [PMID: 29719273 PMCID: PMC6062654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two ceramic stacks, terracotta (t-stack) and mullite (m-stack), were developed to produce energy when fed with neat undiluted urine. Each stack consisted of twelve identical microbial fuel cells (MFCs) which were arranged in cascades and tested under different electrical configurations. Despite voltage reversal, the m-stack produced a maximum power of 800 μW whereas the t-stack produced a maximum of 520 μW after 62.6 h of operation. Moreover, during the operation, both systems were subject to blockage possibly due to struvite. To the Authors' best knowledge, this is the first time that such a phenomenon in ceramic MFC membranes is shown to be the direct result of sub-optimal performance, which confirms the hypothesis that ceramic membranes can continue operating long-term, if the MFCs produce maximum power (high rate of e- transfer). Furthermore, it is shown that once the ceramic membrane is blocked, it may prove difficult to recover in-situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asimina Tremouli
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, BRL, University of the West of England, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
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Kondaveeti S, Kakarla R, Kim HS, Kim BG, Min B. The performance and long-term stability of low-cost separators in single-chamber bottle-type microbial fuel cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2018; 39:288-297. [PMID: 28278086 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1299223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluates long-term stability of low-cost separators in single-chamber bottle-type microbial fuel cells with domestic wastewater. Low-cost separators tested in this study were nonwoven fabrics (NWF) of polypropylene (PP80, PP100), textile fabrics of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), sulfonated polyphenylene sulfide (SPPS), and cellulose esters. NWF PP80 separator generated the highest power density of 280 mW/m2, which was higher than with ion-exchange membranes (cation exchange membrane; CEM = 271 mW/m2, cation exchange membrane; CMI = 196 mW/m2, Nafion = 260 mW/m2). MFC operations with other size-selective separators such as SPPS, PPS, and cellulose esters exhibited power densities of 261, 231, and 250 mW/m2, respectively. During a 280-day operation, initial power density of PP80 (278 mW/m2) was decreased to 257 mW/m2, but this decrease was smaller than with others (Nafion: 265-230 mW/m2; PP100: 220-126 mW/m2). The anode potential of around -430 mV did not change much with all separators in the long-term operation, but the initial cathode potential gradually decreased. Fouling analysis suggested that the presence of carbonaceous substance on Nafion and PP80 after 280 days of operation and Nafion was subject to be more biofouling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanath Kondaveeti
- a Department of Environmental Science and Engineering , Kyung Hee University , Yongin-si , Republic of Korea
| | - Ramesh Kakarla
- a Department of Environmental Science and Engineering , Kyung Hee University , Yongin-si , Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Suck Kim
- b MFC R & BD Center , Water Management & Research Center, K-water Institute, K-water , Daejeon , Korea
| | - Byung-Goon Kim
- b MFC R & BD Center , Water Management & Research Center, K-water Institute, K-water , Daejeon , Korea
| | - Booki Min
- a Department of Environmental Science and Engineering , Kyung Hee University , Yongin-si , Republic of Korea
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Daud SM, Daud WRW, Kim BH, Somalu MR, Bakar MHA, Muchtar A, Jahim JM, Lim SS, Chang IS. Comparison of performance and ionic concentration gradient of two-chamber microbial fuel cell using ceramic membrane (CM) and cation exchange membrane (CEM) as separators. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.10.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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45
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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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Pasternak G, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Self-powered, autonomous Biological Oxygen Demand biosensor for online water quality monitoring. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. B, CHEMICAL 2017; 244:815-822. [PMID: 28579695 PMCID: PMC5362149 DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Standard Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) analysis requires 5 days to complete. To date, microbial fuel cell biosensors used as an alternative method for BOD assessment requires external apparatus, which limits their use for on-line monitoring in remote, off-grid locations. In this study, a self-powered, floating biosensor was developed for online water quality monitoring. This approach eliminated the need for external apparatus and maintenance that would otherwise be required by other techniques. The biosensor was able to detect urine in freshwater and turn ON a visual and sound cues (85 dB). The energy needed to operate the biosensor was produced by the system itself with the use of electroactive microorganisms, inside microbial fuel cells. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was used as a fast method of biosensor validation. When urine concentration exceeded the lower threshold, corresponding to a COD concentration of 57.7 ± 4.8 mgO2 L-1, the biosensor turned the alarm ON. The shortest observed actuation time, required to switch ON the alarm was 61 min, when the urine concentration was 149.7 ± 1.7 mgO2 L-1. Once the sensor was switched ON, the signal was emitted until the urine organic load decreased to 15.3 ± 1.9 mgO2 L-1. When ON, the microbial fuel cell sensor produced a maximum power of 4.3 mW. When switched OFF, the biosensor produced 25.4 μW. The frequency of the signal was proportional to the concentration of urine. The observed frequencies varied between 0.01 and 0.59 Hz. This approach allowed to correlate and quantitatively detect the presence of water contamination, based on signal frequency. The sensor was operating autonomously for 5 months. This is the first report of a self-powered, autonomous device, developed for online water quality monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Pasternak
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
- Wroclaw University of Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
- Corresponding author at: Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK.
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY Bristol, UK
- Corresponding author.
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Ieropoulos I, Pasternak G, Greenman J. Urine disinfection and in situ pathogen killing using a Microbial Fuel Cell cascade system. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176475. [PMID: 28463976 PMCID: PMC5413022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are emerging as an effective means of treating different types of waste including urine and wastewater. However, the fate of pathogens in an MFC-based system remains unknown, and in this study we investigated the effect of introducing the enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis in an MFC cascade system. The MFCs continuously fed with urine showed high disinfecting potential. As part of two independent trials, during which the bioluminescent S. enteritidis strain was introduced into the MFC cascade, the number of viable counts and the level of bioluminescence were reduced by up to 4.43±0.04 and 4.21±0.01 log-fold, respectively. The killing efficacy observed for the MFCs operating under closed-circuit conditions, were higher by 1.69 and 1.72 log-fold reduction than for the open circuit MFCs, in both independent trials. The results indicated that the bactericidal properties of a well performing anode were dependent on power performance and the oxidation-reduction potential recorded for the MFCs. This is the first time that the fate of pathogenic bacteria has been investigated in continuously operating MFC systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Grzegorz Pasternak
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Centre for Integrative Biology CIBIO, University of Trento, Povo, Trentino, Italy
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Ghassemi Z, Slaughter G. Biological Fuel Cells and Membranes. MEMBRANES 2017; 7:membranes7010003. [PMID: 28106711 PMCID: PMC5371964 DOI: 10.3390/membranes7010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biofuel cells have been widely used to generate bioelectricity. Early biofuel cells employ a semi-permeable membrane to separate the anodic and cathodic compartments. The impact of different membrane materials and compositions has also been explored. Some membrane materials are employed strictly as membrane separators, while some have gained significant attention in the immobilization of enzymes or microorganisms within or behind the membrane at the electrode surface. The membrane material affects the transfer rate of the chemical species (e.g., fuel, oxygen molecules, and products) involved in the chemical reaction, which in turn has an impact on the performance of the biofuel cell. For enzymatic biofuel cells, Nafion, modified Nafion, and chitosan membranes have been used widely and continue to hold great promise in the long-term stability of enzymes and microorganisms encapsulated within them. This article provides a review of the most widely used membrane materials in the development of enzymatic and microbial biofuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghassemi
- Bioelectronics Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
| | - Gymama Slaughter
- Bioelectronics Laboratory, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
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Zhang X, He W, Zhang R, Wang Q, Liang P, Huang X, Logan BE, Fellinger TP. High-Performance Carbon Aerogel Air Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2016; 9:2788-2795. [PMID: 27509893 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201600590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can generate electricity from the oxidation of organic substrates using anodic exoelectrogenic bacteria and have great potential for harvesting electric energy from wastewater. Improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance at a neutral pH is needed for efficient energy production. Here we show a nitrogen doped (≈4 wt%) ionothermal carbon aerogel (NDC) with a high surface area, large pore volume, and hierarchical porosity, with good electrocatalytic properties for ORR in MFCs. The MFCs using NDC air cathodes achieved a high maximum power density of 2300 mW m-2 , which was 1.7 times higher than the most commonly used Pt/C air cathodes and also higher than most state-of-the-art ORR catalyst air cathodes. Rotating disk electrode measurements verified the superior electrocatalytic activity of NDC with an efficient four-electron transfer pathway (n=3.9). These findings highlight NDC as a better-performing and cost-efficient catalyst compared with Pt/C, making it highly viable for MFC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R.China.
| | - Weihua He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150090, P.R.China
| | - Rufan Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Qiuying Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R.China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R.China
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R.China
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Tim-Patrick Fellinger
- Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
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