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Zhao X, Xu Y, Yin F, Li Y, Li X, Wei Q. Co-Fe-N@biochar anode for improvment the electricity generation performance of microbial fuel cell. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37970847 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2283797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can generate energy while processing organic pollutants, which has a great impact on environmental wastewater treatment applications. In this study, a gel polymer was formed by Co-Fe-N co-doping biochar (Co-Fe-N@BC), which was used as the anode material to improve the electricity generation performance of MFC. The Co-Fe-N@BC material prepared at 900℃ carbonised biomass into more graphitic carbon, and its total resistance (3.56 Ω) was significantly reduced. In the corresponding dual-chamber MFC, the current density was 2.81 A/m2, and the power density reached 1181 mW/m2 at maximum. Among the materials tested, the Co-Fe-N@BC anode MFC had the highest chemical oxygen demand removal rate and coulombic efficiency, reaching 91% and 13%, respectively. It is proved that MFC with Co-Fe-N@BC anode has the best electrochemical performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumin Xu
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Yin
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yucheng Li
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Li
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wei
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
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2
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Spinel structure of activated carbon supported MFe2O4 composites as an economic and efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in neutral media. J Solid State Electrochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-022-05269-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFor more sustainability and marketing of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in wastewater treatment, the sluggish kinetics of cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and platinum scarcity (with its high cost) should be swept away. So, this work aimed to synthesize metal ferrite (MFe2O4; M = Mn, Cu, and Ni) -based activated carbon composites as inexpensive ORR cathode catalysts. The composites were synthesized using a facile modified co-precipitation approach with low-thermal treatment and labeled as MnFe2O4/AC, CuFe2O4/AC, and NiFe2O4/AC. The as-synthesized catalysts are physicochemically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The electrochemical catalytic performance toward ORR was studied in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at neutral media via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). MnFe2O4/AC has the highest onset potential (Eonset) value of − 0.223 V compared to CuFe2O4/AC (− 0.280 V) and NiFe2O4/AC (− 0.270 V). MnFe2O4/AC also has the highest kinetic current density (jK) and lowest Tafel slope (− 5 mA cm−2 and − 330 mV dec−1) compared to CuFe2O4/AC (− 3.05 mA cm−2 and − 577 mV dec−1) and NiFe2O4/AC (− 2.67 mA cm−2 and − 414 mV dec−1). The ORR catalyzed by MnFe2O4/AC at pH = 7 proceeds via a 4e− -kinetic pathway. The ESR is in good agreement with the electrochemical analysis due to the highest ∆Hppvalue for MnFe2O4/AC compared to CuFe2O4/AC and NiFe2O4/AC. Thus, MnFe2O4/AC is suggested as a promising alternative to Pt- electrocatalyst cathode for MFCs at neutral conditions.
Graphical Abstract
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3
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Sabin JM, Leverenz H, Bischel HN. Microbial fuel cell treatment energy-offset for fertilizer production from human urine. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133594. [PMID: 35031247 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment and the biological conversion of organics to electrical energy. Yet effective MFC utilization of complex waste streams like human urine is limited by interference from high-strength organics (>5000 mg L-1 total organic carbon) and concentrated macronutrients (>500 mg L-1 nitrogen and phosphorus). This research assesses potential gains in MFC energy performance and organics treatment achieved by incorporating MFCs as a tertiary step in a human urine nutrient recovery system. The bioelectrochemical performance of benchtop-scale, low-cost MFCs was assessed using pre-treated human urine that was depleted in ammonium-nitrogen and phosphate (the "waste bottoms" of the urine nutrient recovery system). Performance of MFCs with waste bottoms as feedstock was compared to MFC performance with hydrolyzed real urine and synthetic urine as feedstocks. MFCs with waste bottoms produced 16.2 ± 14.8 mW mCat-2 (2.14 ± 1.95 W mCat-3), equivalent to 93% of the mean power density achieved by hydrolyzed urine after 32 days of operation. Coulombic efficiency over the full experimental runtime was 32.3 ± 4.1% higher for waste bottoms than urine. Waste bottoms helped avoid fouling of the ceramic membrane separator that occurs with urea hydrolysis and phosphate precipitation from urine. Enhanced ion separation was also observed, producing neutral pH in the anolyte and high pH (11.5) and electrical conductivity (25 dS m-1) in the catholyte. While several gains in performance were observed when using waste bottoms as feedstock, anolyte organics removal decreased 36.5% in MFCs with waste bottoms. This research indicates that pretreatment of source-separated urine via nutrient removal improves MFC electrical power generation and ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M Sabin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Harold Leverenz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Heather N Bischel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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4
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Othman A, Bilan HK, Katz E, Smutok O. Highly Porous Gold Electrodes – Preparation and Characterization. ChemElectroChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202200099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Othman
- Clarkson University Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science 13699 Potsdam UNITED STATES
| | - Hubert K. Bilan
- Clarkson University Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science 13699 Potsdam UNITED STATES
| | - Evgeny Katz
- Clarkson University Chemistry Department 8 Clarkson Avenue 13699-5810 Potsdam UNITED STATES
| | - Oleh Smutok
- Clarkson University Department of Chemistry and Biomolecule Science 13699 Potsdam UNITED STATES
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5
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Agrahari R, Bayar B, Abubackar HN, Giri BS, Rene ER, Rani R. Advances in the development of electrode materials for improving the reactor kinetics in microbial fuel cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133184. [PMID: 34890618 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology for converting organic waste into electricity, thus providing potential solution to energy crises along with eco-friendly wastewater treatment. The electrode properties and biocatalysts are the major factors affecting electricity production in MFC. The electrons generated during microbial metabolism are captured by the anode and transferred towards the cathode via an external circuit, causing the flow of electricity. This flow of electrons is greatly influenced by the electrode properties and thus, much effort has been made towards electrode modification to improve the MFC performance. Different semiconductors, nanostructured metal oxides and their composite materials have been used to modify the anode as they possess high specific surface area, good biocompatibility, chemical stability and conductive properties. The cathode materials have also been modified using metals like platinum and nano-composites for increasing the redox potential, electrical conductivity and surface area. Therefore, this paper reviews the recent developments in the modification of electrodes towards improving the power generation capacity of MFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roma Agrahari
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Teliyarganj, Prayagraj, 211004, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Büşra Bayar
- Faculty of Sciences, University of A Coruña, E-15008, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Balendu Shekher Giri
- Aquatic Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India
| | - Eldon R Rene
- Department of Water Supply Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest, 2601DA Delft 7, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Radha Rani
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Teliyarganj, Prayagraj, 211004, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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6
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Merino Jimenez I, Brinson P, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Electronic faucet powered by low cost ceramic microbial fuel cells treating urine. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2021; 506:230004. [PMID: 34539048 PMCID: PMC8363936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hygienic measures are extremely important to avoid the transmission of contagious viruses and diseases. The use of an electronic faucet increases the hygiene, encourages hand washing, avoids touching the faucet for opening and closing, and it saves water, since the faucet is automatically closed. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has the capability to convert environmental waste into energy. The implementation of low cost ceramic MFCs into electronic interfaces integrated in toilets, would offer a compact powering system as well as an environmentally friendly small-scale treatment plant. In this work, the use of low cost ceramic MFCs to power an L20-E electronic faucet is presented for the first time. A single MFC was capable of powering an electronic faucet with an open/close cycle of 8.5 min, with 200 ml of urine. With a footprint of 360 cm3, the MFC could easily be integrated in a toilet. The possibility to power e-toilet components with MFCs offers a sustainable energy generation system. Other electronic components including an automatic flush, could potentially be powered by MFCs and contribute to the maintenance efficiency and hygiene of the public toilets, leading to a new generation of self-sustained energy recovering e-toilets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Merino Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Patrick Brinson
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
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7
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Valorization of biodigestor plant waste in electrodes for supercapacitors and microbial fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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8
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Tailoring active sites of iron-nitrogen-carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction in alkaline environment: Effect of nitrogen-based organic precursor and pyrolysis atmosphere. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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9
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Grattieri M, Chen H, Minteer SD. Chloroplast biosolar cell and self-powered herbicide monitoring. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:13161-13164. [PMID: 33016281 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc03787g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing chloroplasts in biosolar cells offers a sustainable approach for sunlight harvesting. However, the limited electrochemical communication between these biological entities and an electrode surface has led to complex device setups, hindering their application in the field. Herein, a cross-linker enables a simple photoanode architecture with enhanced photoexcited electron transfer between chloroplasts and abiotic electrodes. The improved "wiring" of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain resulted in a five-fold increase in the biophotocurrent. The biophotoanode is applied in a Pt-free, portable biosolar cell allowing the in situ self-powered monitoring of diuron within limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Grattieri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Rm 2020, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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10
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Gajda I, You J, Santoro C, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 2020; 353:136388. [PMID: 32884154 PMCID: PMC7430051 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This work is presenting for the first time the use of inexpensive and efficient anode material for boosting power production, as well as improving electrofiltration of human urine in tubular microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The MFCs were constructed using unglazed ceramic clay functioning as the membrane and chassis. The study is looking into effective anodic surface modification by applying activated carbon micro-nanostructure onto carbon fibres that allows electrode packing without excessive enlargement of the electrode. The surface treatment of the carbon veil matrix resulted in 3.7 mW (52.9 W m-3 and 1626 mW m-2) of power generated and almost a 10-fold increase in the anodic current due to the doping as well as long-term stability in one year of continuous operation. The higher power output resulted in the synthesis of clear catholyte, thereby i) avoiding cathode fouling and contributing to the active splitting of both pH and ions and ii) transforming urine into a purified catholyte - 30% salt reduction - by electroosmotic drag, whilst generating - rather than consuming - electricity, and in a way demonstrating electrofiltration. For the purpose of future technology implementation , the importance of simultaneous increase in power generation, long-term stability over 1 year and efficient urine cleaning by using low-cost materials, is very promising and helps the technology enter the wider market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Jiseon You
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis A. Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK
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11
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Santoro C, Walter XA, Soavi F, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Air-breathing cathode self-powered supercapacitive microbial fuel cell with human urine as electrolyte. Electrochim Acta 2020; 353:136530. [PMID: 32884155 PMCID: PMC7430050 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this work, a membraneless microbial fuel cell (MFC) with an empty volume of 1.5 mL, fed continuously with hydrolysed urine, was tested in supercapacitive mode (SC-MFC). In order to enhance the power output, a double strategy was used: i) a double cathode was added leading to a decrease in the equivalent series resistance (ESR); ii) the apparent capacitance was boosted up by adding capacitive features on the anode electrode. Galvanostatic (GLV) discharges were performed at different discharge currents. The results showed that both strategies were successful obtaining a maximum power output of 1.59 ± 0.01 mW (1.06 ± 0.01 mW mL−1) at pulse time of 0.01 s and 0.57 ± 0.01 mW (0.38 ± 0.01 mW mL−1) at pulse time of 2 s. The highest energy delivered at ipulse equal to 2 mA was 3.3 ± 0.1 mJ. The best performing SC-MFCs were then connected in series and parallel and tested through GLV discharges. As the power output was similar, the connection in parallel allowed to roughly doubling the current produced. Durability tests over ≈5.6 days showed certain stability despite a light overall decrease. Air-breathing microbial fuel cell was tested in supercapacitive mode. A double cathode addition lead to a decrease in ohmic resistance. Apparent capacitance was boosted up by adding capacitive features. Maximum power output of 1.59 mW (1.06 mW mL−1) was reached at tpulse 0.01s. Series and parallel connections improved the galvanostatic discharges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Xavier Alexis Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università̀; di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.,Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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12
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Ficca VCA, Santoro C, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Atanassov P, Mecheri B. Effect of Active Site Poisoning on Iron−Nitrogen−Carbon Platinum‐Group‐Metal‐Free Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts Operating in Neutral Media: A Rotating Disk Electrode Study. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202000754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio C. A. Ficca
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical ScienceThe University of Manchester The Mill Sackville Street Manchester M13PAL UK
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Pajarito Powder, LLC 3600 Osuna Rd NE Ste 309 Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringNational Fuel Cell Research CenterUniversity of California Irvine CA 92697 USA
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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13
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Sirajudeen AAO, Annuar MSM, Subramaniam R. Composite of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates-co-methyl acrylate and carbon nanotubes as innovative electrodes modifier in microbial fuel cell. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2020; 68:307-318. [PMID: 32314420 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A microbial fuel cell is a sustainable and environmental-friendly device that combines electricity generation and wastewater treatment through metabolic activities of microorganisms. However, low power output from inadequate electron transfer to the anode electrode hampers its practical implementation. Nanocomposites of oxidized carbon nanotubes and medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) grafted with methyl acrylate monomers enhance the electrochemical function of electrodes in microbial fuel cell. Extensive polymerization of methyl acrylate monomers within mcl-PHA matrix, and homogenous dispersion of carbon nanotubes within the graft matrix are responsible for the enhancement. Modified electrodes exhibit high conductivities, better redox peak and reduction of cell internal resistance up to 76%. A stable voltage output at almost 700 mV running for 225 H generates maximum power and current density of 351 mW/m2 and 765 mA/m2 , respectively. Superior biofilm growth on modified surface is responsible for improved electron transfer to the anode hence stable and elevated power output generation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ramesh Subramaniam
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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14
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Lazzarini Behrmann IC, Grattieri M, Minteer SD, Ramirez SA, Vullo DL. Online self-powered Cr(VI) monitoring with autochthonous Pseudomonas and a bio-inspired redox polymer. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 412:6449-6457. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02620-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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15
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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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16
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Robertson SJ, Grattieri M, Behring J, Bestetti M, Minteer SD. Transitioning from batch to flow hypersaline microbial fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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17
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Guo F, Shi Z, Yang K, Wu Y, Liu H. Enhancing the power performance of sediment microbial fuel cells by novel strategies: Overlying water flow and hydraulic-driven cathode rotating. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 678:533-542. [PMID: 31078843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are promising power sources for environmental monitoring in remote areas and environment-friendly solutions to river sediment contamination. However, cathodic limitations will significantly decrease power performance and limit its practical application. In this work, the control SMFC (SMFC-C) with cathode horizontally and fully submerged below the overlying water, and the hydraulic-driven rotating cathode SMFC (SMFC-R) was constructed. Overlying water flow and hydraulic-driven cathode rotating as novel strategies for SMFCs towards field applications were proposed. Results demonstrated that better power performance under static condition was obtained in SMFC-R than in SMFC-C, that the overlying water flow could significantly increase the maximum power density (MPD) in SMFC-C over the static condition, and that the cathode rotating further improved MPD in SMFC-R. The MPD obtained under static condition were 26.5 mW/m2 and 45.1 mW/m2 in SMFC-C and SMFC-R, which increased to 38.8 mW/m2 and 47.3 mW/m2 under water flow and cathode rotating condition, respectively. Analyses on cathode potential, overlying water pH and dissolved oxygen suggested severe cathodic limitations in SMFC-C under static condition which could be diminished by overlying water flow. However, almost no such limitations were observed in SMFC-R even under static condition, which is probably due to the fact that the cathodic oxygen reaction in SMFC-R mainly occurred on the cathode exposed to the air rather than on that submerged below the water. Identical anode performance was obtained in both SMFCs under different conditions, which were not an influencing factor leading to different power performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China; Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Zongyang Shi
- School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Kaiming Yang
- School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Yan Wu
- School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
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18
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Salar Garcia MJ, Santoro C, Kodali M, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P, Ieropoulos I. Iron-streptomycin derived catalyst for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in ceramic microbial fuel cells operating with urine. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2019; 425:50-59. [PMID: 31217667 PMCID: PMC6559230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has drawn the attention of the scientific community due to its ability to produce clean energy and treat different types of waste at the same time. Often, expensive catalysts are required to facilitate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and this hinders their large-scale commercialisation. In this work, a novel iron-based catalyst (Fe-STR) synthesised from iron salt and streptomycin as a nitrogen-rich organic precursor was chemically, morphologically and electrochemically studied. The kinetics of Fe-STR with and without being doped with carbon nanotubes (CNT) was initially screened through rotating disk electrode (RDE) analysis. Then, the catalysts were integrated into air-breathing cathodes and placed into ceramic-type MFCs continuously fed with human urine. The half-wave potential showed the following trend Fe-STR > Fe-STR-CNT ≫ AC, indicating better kinetics towards ORR in the case of Fe-STR. In terms of MFC performance, the results showed that cathodes containing Fe-based catalyst outperformed AC-based cathodes after 3 months of operation. The long-term test reported that Fe-STR-based cathodes allow MFCs to reach a stable power output of 104.5 ± 0.0 μW cm-2, 74% higher than AC-based cathodes (60.4 ± 3.9 μW cm-2). To the best of the Authors' knowledge, this power performance is the highest recorded from ceramic-type MFCs fed with human urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Salar Garcia
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - 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, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, University of New Mexico, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Pajarito Powder, LLC, 3600 Osuna Rd NE Ste 309, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, USA
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, University of New Mexico, 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, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, University of New Mexico, USA
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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19
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Santoro C, Walter XA, Soavi F, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Self-stratified and self-powered micro-supercapacitor integrated into a microbial fuel cell operating in human urine. Electrochim Acta 2019; 307:241-252. [PMID: 31217626 PMCID: PMC6559283 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.03.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A self-stratified microbial fuel cell fed with human urine with a total internal volume of 0.55 ml was investigated as an internal supercapacitor, for the first time. The internal self-stratification allowed the development of two zones within the cell volume. The oxidation reaction occurred on the bottom electrode (anode) and the reduction reaction on the top electrode (cathode). The electrodes were discharged galvanostatically at different currents and the two electrodes were able to recover their initial voltage value due to their red-ox reactions. Anode and cathode apparent capacitance was increased after introducing high surface area activated carbon embedded within the electrodes. Peak power produced was 1.20 ± 0.04 mW (2.19 ± 0.06 mW ml-1) for a pulse time of 0.01 s that decreased to 0.65 ± 0.02 mW (1.18 ± 0.04 mW ml-1) for longer pulse periods (5 s). Durability tests were conducted over 44 h with ≈2600 discharge/recharge cycles. In this relatively long-term test, the equivalent series resistance increased only by 10% and the apparent capacitance decreased by 18%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Xavier Alexis Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - John Greenman
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
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20
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Walter XA, Santoro C, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Self-stratifying microbial fuel cell: The importance of the cathode electrode immersion height. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY 2019; 44:4524-4532. [PMID: 31007361 PMCID: PMC6472648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Power generation of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) is a very important electrochemical parameter to consider particularly when the output has to be harvested for practical applications. This work studies the effect of cathode immersion on the performance of a self-stratified membraneless microbial fuel cell (SSM-MFC) fuelled with human urine. Four different electrolyte immersion heights, i.e. 1 4 , 2 4 , 3 4 and fully submerged were considered. The SSM-MFC performance improved with increased immersion up to 3 4 . The output dropped drastically when the cathode was fully submerged with the conditions becoming fully anaerobic. SSM-MFC with 3 4 submerged cathode had a maximum power output of 3.0 mW followed by 2.4 mW, 2.0 mW, and 0.2 mW for the 2 4 , 1 4 and fully submerged conditions. Durability tests were run on the best performing SSM-MFC with 3 4 cathode immersed and showed an additional increase in the electrochemical output by 17% from 3.0 mW to 3.5 mW. The analysis performed on the anode and cathode separately demonstrated the stability in the cathode behaviour and in parallel an improvement in the anodic performance during one month of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Alexis Walter
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
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21
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Santoro C, Kodali M, Shamoon N, Serov A, Soavi F, Merino-Jimenez I, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Increased power generation in supercapacitive microbial fuel cell stack using Fe-N-C cathode catalyst. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2019; 412:416-424. [PMID: 30774187 PMCID: PMC6360396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The anode and cathode electrodes of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) stack, composed of 28 single MFCs, were used as the negative and positive electrodes, respectively of an internal self-charged supercapacitor. Particularly, carbon veil was used as the negative electrode and activated carbon with a Fe-based catalyst as the positive electrode. The red-ox reactions on the anode and cathode, self-charged these electrodes creating an internal electrochemical double layer capacitor. Galvanostatic discharges were performed at different current and time pulses. Supercapacitive-MFC (SC-MFC) was also tested at four different solution conductivities. SC-MFC had an equivalent series resistance (ESR) decreasing from 6.00 Ω to 3.42 Ω in four solutions with conductivity between 2.5 mScm-1 and 40 mScm-1. The ohmic resistance of the positive electrode corresponded to 75-80% of the overall ESR. The highest performance was achieved with a solution conductivity of 40 mS cm-1 and this was due to the positive electrode potential enhancement for the utilization of Fe-based catalysts. Maximum power was 36.9 mW (36.9 W m-3) that decreased with increasing pulse time. SC-MFC was subjected to 4520 cycles (8 days) with a pulse time of 5 s (ipulse 55 mA) and a self-recharging time of 150 s showing robust reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Najeeb Shamoon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università, di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Corresponding author. Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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22
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Walter XA, Santoro C, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. Scalability of self-stratifying microbial fuel cell: Towards height miniaturisation. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 127:68-75. [PMID: 30735920 PMCID: PMC6450375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The scalability of bioelectrochemical systems is a key parameter for their practical implementation in the real-world. Up until now, only urine-fed self-stratifying microbial fuel cells (SSM-MFCs) have been shown to be scalable in width and length with limited power density losses. For practical reasons, the present work focuses on the scalability of SSM-MFCs in the one dimension that has not yet been investigated, namely height. Three different height conditions were considered (1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm tall electrodes). The normalised power density of the 2 cm and 3 cm conditions were similar either during the durability test under a hydraulic retention time of ≈39 h (i.e. 15.74 ± 0.99 μW.cm-3) and during the polarisation experiments (i.e. 27.79 ± 0.92 μW.cm-3). Conversely, the 1 cm condition had lower power densities of 11.23 ± 0.07 μW.cm-3 and 17.73 ± 3.94 μW.cm-3 both during the durability test and the polarisation experiment, respectively. These results confirm that SSM-MFCs can be scaled in all 3 dimensions with minimal power density losses, with a minimum height threshold for the electrode comprised between 1 cm and 2 cm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Alexis Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
| | - Ioannis A Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
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23
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Mecheri B, Gokhale R, Santoro C, Costa de Oliveira MA, D’Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts Derived from Iron Salt and Benzimidazole and Aminobenzimidazole Precursors and Their Application in Microbial Fuel Cell Cathodes. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2018; 1:5755-5765. [PMID: 30406217 PMCID: PMC6199672 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.8b01360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In this work, benzimidazole (BZIM) and aminobenzimidazole (ABZIM) were used as organic-rich in nitrogen precursors during the synthesis of iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) based catalysts by sacrificial support method (SSM) technique. The catalysts obtained, denoted Fe-ABZIM and Fe-BZIM, were characterized morphologically and chemically through SEM, TEM, and XPS. Moreover, these catalysts were initially tested in rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) configuration, resulting in similar high electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having low hydrogen peroxide generated (<3%). The ORR performance was significantly higher compared to activated carbon (AC) that was the control. The catalysts were then integrated into air-breathing (AB) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) cathode electrode and tested in operating microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The presence of Fe-N-C catalysts boosted the power output compared to AC cathode MFC. The AB-type cathode outperformed the GDL type cathode probably because of reduced catalyst layer flooding. The highest performance obtained in this work was 162 ± 3 μWcm-2. Fe-ABZIM and Fe-BZIM had similar performance when incorporated to the same type of cathode configuration. Long-term operations show a decrease up to 50% of the performance in two months operations. Despite the power output decrease, the Fe-BZIM/Fe-ABZIM catalysts gave a significant advantage in fuel cell performance compared to the bare AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mecheri
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
- E-mail: . Phone: +39 06 7259 4488
| | - Rohan Gokhale
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- E-mail: . Phone: +1 505 277 2640
| | - Maida Aysla Costa de Oliveira
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra D’Epifanio
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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24
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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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25
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Katuri KP, Kalathil S, Ragab A, Bian B, Alqahtani MF, Pant D, Saikaly PE. Dual-Function Electrocatalytic and Macroporous Hollow-Fiber Cathode for Converting Waste Streams to Valuable Resources Using Microbial Electrochemical Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1707072. [PMID: 29707854 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201707072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Dual-function electrocatalytic and macroporous hollow-fiber cathodes are recently proposed as promising advanced material for maximizing the conversion of waste streams such as wastewater and waste CO2 to valuable resources (e.g., clean freshwater, energy, value-added chemicals) in microbial electrochemical systems. The first part of this progress report reviews recent developments in this type of cathode architecture for the simultaneous recovery of clean freshwater and energy from wastewater. Critical insights are provided on suitable materials for fabricating these cathodes, as well as addressing some challenges in the fabrication process with proposed strategies to overcome them. The second and complementary part of the progress report highlights how the unique features of this cathode architecture can solve one of the intrinsic bottlenecks (gas-liquid mass transfer limitation) in the application of microbial electrochemical systems for CO2 reduction to value-added products. Strategies to further improve the availability of CO2 to microbial catalysts on the cathode are proposed. The importance of understanding microbe-cathode interactions, as well as electron transfer mechanisms at the cathode-cell and cell-cell interface to better design dual-function macroporous hollow-fiber cathodes, is critically discussed with insights on how the choice of material is important in facilitating direct electron transfer versus mediated electron transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna P Katuri
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafeer Kalathil
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ala'a Ragab
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bin Bian
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal F Alqahtani
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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26
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Alkotaini B, Tinucci SL, Robertson SJ, Hasan K, Minteer SD, Grattieri M. Alginate-Encapsulated Bacteria for the Treatment of Hypersaline Solutions in Microbial Fuel Cells. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1162-1169. [PMID: 29700989 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) based on a new wild-type strain of Salinivibrio sp. allowed the self-sustained treatment of hypersaline solutions (100 g L-1 , 1.71 m NaCl), reaching a removal of (87±11) % of the initial chemical oxygen demand after five days of operation, being the highest value achieved for hypersaline MFC. The degradation process and the evolution of the open circuit potential of the MFCs were correlated, opening the possibility for online monitoring of the treatment. The use of alginate capsules to trap bacterial cells, increasing cell density and stability, resulted in an eightfold higher power output, together with a more stable system, allowing operation up to five months with no maintenance required. The reported results are of critical importance to efforts to develop a sustainable and cost-effective system that treats hypersaline waste streams and reduces the quantity of polluting compounds released.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassam Alkotaini
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Room 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Present address: BioFire Diagnostics, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA
| | - Samantha L Tinucci
- Chemistry Department, College of Saint Benedict, 37 South College Avenue, St. Joseph, MN, 56374, USA
| | - Stuart J Robertson
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Utah, 50 Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Kamrul Hasan
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Room 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Shelley D Minteer
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Room 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Matteo Grattieri
- Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Room 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
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Santoro C, Kodali M, Herrera S, Serov A, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Power generation in microbial fuel cells using platinum group metal-free cathode catalyst: Effect of the catalyst loading on performance and costs. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 378:169-175. [PMID: 29527091 PMCID: PMC5840685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst with different loadings was investigated in air breathing electrodes microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Firstly, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the catalyst was investigated by rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) setup with different catalyst loadings. The results showed that higher loading led to an increased in the half wave potential and the limiting current and to a further decrease in the peroxide production. The electrons transferred also slightly increased with the catalyst loading up to the value of ≈3.75. This variation probably indicates that the catalyst investigated follow a 2x2e- transfer mechanism. The catalyst was integrated within activated carbon pellet-like air-breathing cathode in eight different loadings varying between 0.1 mgcm-2 and 10 mgcm-2. Performance were enhanced gradually with the increase in catalyst content. Power densities varied between 90 ± 9 μWcm-2 and 262 ± 4 μWcm-2 with catalyst loading of 0.1 mgcm-2 and 10 mgcm-2 respectively. Cost assessments related to the catalyst performance are presented. An increase in catalyst utilization led to an increase in power generated with a substantial increase in the whole costs. Also a decrease in performance due to cathode/catalyst deterioration over time led to a further increase in the costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Sergio Herrera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Flores-Cadengo C, Soavi F, Kodali M, Merino-Jimenez I, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Ceramic Microbial Fuel Cells Stack: power generation in standard and supercapacitive mode. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29459777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) stack containing 28 ceramic MFCs was tested in both standard and supercapacitive modes. The MFCs consisted of carbon veil anodes wrapped around the ceramic separator and air-breathing cathodes based on activated carbon catalyst pressed on a stainless steel mesh. The anodes and cathodes were connected in parallel. The electrolytes utilized had different solution conductivities ranging from 2.0 mScm-1 to 40.1 mScm-1, simulating diverse wastewaters. Polarization curves of MFCs showed a general enhancement in performance with the increase of the electrolyte solution conductivity. The maximum stationary power density was 3.2 mW (3.2 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 that increased to 10.6 mW (10.6 Wm-3) at the highest solution conductivity (40.1 mScm-1). For the first time, MFCs stack with 1 L operating volume was also tested in supercapacitive mode, where full galvanostatic discharges are presented. Also in the latter case, performance once again improved with the increase in solution conductivity. Particularly, the increase in solution conductivity decreased dramatically the ohmic resistance and therefore the time for complete discharge was elongated, with a resultant increase in power. Maximum power achieved varied between 7.6 mW (7.6 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 and 27.4 mW (27.4 Wm-3) at 40.1 mScm-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Cristina Flores-Cadengo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Flores-Cadengo C, Soavi F, Kodali M, Merino-Jimenez I, Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I, Atanassov P. Ceramic Microbial Fuel Cells Stack: power generation in standard and supercapacitive mode. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3281. [PMID: 29459777 PMCID: PMC5818490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) stack containing 28 ceramic MFCs was tested in both standard and supercapacitive modes. The MFCs consisted of carbon veil anodes wrapped around the ceramic separator and air-breathing cathodes based on activated carbon catalyst pressed on a stainless steel mesh. The anodes and cathodes were connected in parallel. The electrolytes utilized had different solution conductivities ranging from 2.0 mScm-1 to 40.1 mScm-1, simulating diverse wastewaters. Polarization curves of MFCs showed a general enhancement in performance with the increase of the electrolyte solution conductivity. The maximum stationary power density was 3.2 mW (3.2 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 that increased to 10.6 mW (10.6 Wm-3) at the highest solution conductivity (40.1 mScm-1). For the first time, MFCs stack with 1 L operating volume was also tested in supercapacitive mode, where full galvanostatic discharges are presented. Also in the latter case, performance once again improved with the increase in solution conductivity. Particularly, the increase in solution conductivity decreased dramatically the ohmic resistance and therefore the time for complete discharge was elongated, with a resultant increase in power. Maximum power achieved varied between 7.6 mW (7.6 Wm-3) at 2.0 mScm-1 and 27.4 mW (27.4 Wm-3) at 40.1 mScm-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Cristina Flores-Cadengo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Via Selmi, 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Irene Merino-Jimenez
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWE, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Rojas-Carbonell S, Awais R, Gokhale R, Kodali M, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Influence of platinum group metal-free catalyst synthesis on microbial fuel cell performance. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2018; 375:11-20. [PMID: 29398775 PMCID: PMC5738968 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) ORR catalysts from the Fe-N-C family were synthesized using sacrificial support method (SSM) technique. Six experimental steps were used during the synthesis: 1) mixing the precursor, the metal salt, and the silica template; 2) first pyrolysis in hydrogen rich atmosphere; 3) ball milling; 4) etching the silica template using harsh acids environment; 5) the second pyrolysis in ammonia rich atmosphere; 6) final ball milling. Three independent batches were fabricated following the same procedure. The effect of each synthetic parameters on the surface chemistry and the electrocatalytic performance in neutral media was studied. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) experiment showed an increase in half wave potential and limiting current after the pyrolysis steps. The additional improvement was observed after etching and performing the second pyrolysis. A similar trend was seen in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), in which the power output increased from 167 ± 2 μW cm-2 to 214 ± 5 μW cm-2. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to evaluate surface chemistry of catalysts obtained after each synthetic step. The changes in chemical composition were directly correlated with the improvements in performance. We report outstanding reproducibility in both composition and performance among the three different batches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Abad FB, Serov A, Kodali M, Howe KJ, Soavi F, Atanassov P. Supercapacitive microbial desalination cells: New class of power generating devices for reduction of salinity content. APPLIED ENERGY 2017; 208:25-36. [PMID: 29302130 PMCID: PMC5738972 DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the electrodes of a microbial desalination cell (MDC) are investigated as the positive and negative electrodes of an internal supercapacitor. The resulting system has been named a supercapacitive microbial desalination cell (SC-MDC). The electrodes are self-polarized by the red-ox reactions and therefore the anode acts as a negative electrode and the cathode as a positive electrode of the internal supercapacitor. In order to overcome cathodic losses, an additional capacitive electrode (AdE) was added and short-circuited with the SC-MDC cathode (SC-MDC-AdE). A total of 7600 discharge/self-recharge cycles (equivalent to 44 h of operation) of SC-MDC-AdE with a desalination chamber filled with an aqueous solution of 30 g L-1 NaCl are reported. The same reactor system was operated with real seawater collected from Pacific Ocean for 88 h (15,100 cycles). Maximum power generated was 1.63 ± 0.04 W m-2 for SC-MDC and 3.01 ± 0.01 W m-2 for SC-MDC-AdE. Solution conductivity in the desalination reactor decreased by ∼50% after 23 h and by more than 60% after 44 h. There was no observable change in the pH during cell operation. Power/current pulses were generated without an external power supply.
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Key Words
- AC, activated carbon
- AEM, anion exchange membrane
- AdE, additional electrode
- Additional Electrode (AdE)
- BES, bioelectrochemical system
- CB, carbon black
- CDI, capacitive deionization
- CEM, cation exchange membrane
- Canode, anode capacitance
- Ccathode, cathode capacitance
- Ccell, cell capacitance
- Cell ESR, equivalent series resistance of the cell
- DC, desalination chamber
- DI, deionized water
- EDLC, electrochemical double layer capacitor
- Epulse, energy obtained by the pulse
- Fe-AAPyr, iron aminoantypirine
- GLV, galvanostatic discharges
- High power generation
- KCl, potassium chloride
- KPB, potassium phosphate buffer
- MDC, membrane capacitive deionization
- MDC, microbial desalination cell
- MFC, microbial fuel cell
- NaCl, sodium chloride
- NaOAc, sodium acetate
- OCV, open circuit voltage
- ORR, oxygen reduction reaction
- PGM-free, platinum group metals-free
- PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene
- Pmax, maximum power
- Power/current pulses
- Ppulse, power obtained by the pulse
- RA, anodic anode ohmic resistance
- RC, cathodeic ohmic resistance
- RO, reverse osmosis
- SC, solution conductivity
- SC-MDC, supercapacitive microbial desalination cell
- SC-MDC-AdE, supercapacitive microbial desalination cell with additional electrode
- SC-MFC, supercapacitive microbial fuel cell
- SHE, standard hydrogen electrode
- Supercapacitive Microbial Desalination Cell (SC-MDC)
- Transport phenomena
- V+, oc, cathode potential in open circuit
- Vmax, OC, original maximum voltage in open circuit condition
- Vmax, practical voltage
- V−, oc, anode potentials in open circuit
- ipulse, , current pulses
- tpulse, time of the pulse
- trest, rest time
- ΔVcapacitive, difference between Vmax and Vfinal (at the end of tpulse), voltage capacitive decrease drop
- ΔVohmic, cathode, cathode ohmic drop
- ΔVohmic, difference between Vmax,OC and Vmax, ohmic drop
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Fernando Benito Abad
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Kerry J. Howe
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician“, Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita’ di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Kodali M, Santoro C, Herrera S, Serov A, Atanassov P. Bimetallic platinum group metal-free catalysts for high power generating microbial fuel cells. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 366:18-26. [PMID: 29097833 PMCID: PMC5637930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.08.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
M1-M2-N-C bimetallic catalysts with M1 as Fe and Co and M2 as Fe, Co, Ni and Mn were synthesized and investigated as cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The catalysts were prepared by Sacrificial Support Method in which silica was the template and aminoantipyrine (AAPyr) was the organic precursor. The electro-catalytic properties of these catalysts were investigated by using rotating ring disk (RRDE) electrode setup in neutral electrolyte. Fe-Mn-AAPyr outperformed Fe-AAPyr that showed higher performances compared to Fe-Co-AAPyr and Fe-Ni-AAPyr in terms of half-wave potential. In parallel, Fe-Co-AAPyr, Co-Mn-AAPyr and Co-Ni-AAPyr outperformed Co-AAPyr. The presence of Co within the catalyst contributed to high peroxide production not desired for efficient ORR. The catalytic capability of the catalysts integrated in air-breathing cathode was also verified. It was found that Co-based catalysts showed an improvement in performance by the addition of second metal compared to simple Co- AAPyr. Fe-based bimetallic materials didn't show improvement compared to Fe-AAPyr with the exception of Fe-Mn-AAPyr catalyst that had the highest performance recorded in this study with maximum power density of 221.8 ± 6.6 μWcm-2. Activated carbon (AC) was used as control and had the lowest performances in RRDE and achieved only 95.6 ± 5.8 μWcm-2 when tested in MFC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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Wang Z, Liu Y, Li K, Liu D, Yang T, Wang J, Lu J. The influence and mechanism of different acid treatment to activated carbon used as air-breathing cathode catalyst of microbial fuel cell. Electrochim Acta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.05.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Santoro C, Arbizzani C, Erable B, Ieropoulos I. Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 356:225-244. [PMID: 28717261 PMCID: PMC5465942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 527] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the past 10-15 years, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has captured the attention of the scientific community for the possibility of transforming organic waste directly into electricity through microbially catalyzed anodic, and microbial/enzymatic/abiotic cathodic electrochemical reactions. In this review, several aspects of the technology are considered. Firstly, a brief history of abiotic to biological fuel cells and subsequently, microbial fuel cells is presented. Secondly, the development of the concept of microbial fuel cell into a wider range of derivative technologies, called bioelectrochemical systems, is described introducing briefly microbial electrolysis cells, microbial desalination cells and microbial electrosynthesis cells. The focus is then shifted to electroactive biofilms and electron transfer mechanisms involved with solid electrodes. Carbonaceous and metallic anode materials are then introduced, followed by an explanation of the electro catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction and its behavior in neutral media, from recent studies. Cathode catalysts based on carbonaceous, platinum-group metal and platinum-group-metal-free materials are presented, along with membrane materials with a view to future directions. Finally, microbial fuel cell practical implementation, through the utilization of energy output for practical applications, is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, 87106, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Catia Arbizzani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Benjamin Erable
- University of Toulouse, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, CAMPUS INP – ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, CS 84234, 31432, Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T Block, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Ln, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
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Santoro C, Kodali M, Kabir S, Soavi F, Serov A, Atanassov P. Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets as cathode catalysts in standard and supercapacitive microbial fuel cell. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2017; 356:371-380. [PMID: 28717262 PMCID: PMC5465940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets (3D-GNS) were used as cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) operating in neutral conditions. 3D-GNS catalysts showed high performance towards oxygen electroreduction in neutral media with high current densities and low hydrogen peroxide generation compared to activated carbon (AC). 3D-GNS was incorporated into air-breathing cathodes based on AC with three different loadings (2, 6 and 10 mgcm-2). Performances in MFCs showed that 3D-GNS had the highest performances with power densities of 2.059 ± 0.003 Wm-2, 1.855 ± 0.007 Wm-2 and 1.503 ± 0.005 Wm-2 for loading of 10, 6 and 2 mgcm-2 respectively. Plain AC had the lowest performances (1.017 ± 0.009 Wm-2). The different cathodes were also investigated in supercapacitive MFCs (SC-MFCs). The addition of 3D-GNS decreased the ohmic losses by 14-25%. The decrease in ohmic losses allowed the SC-MFC with 3D-GNS (loading 10 mgcm-2) to have the maximum power (Pmax) of 5.746 ± 0.186 Wm-2. At 5 mA, the SC-MFC featured an "apparent" capacitive response that increased from 0.027 ± 0.007 F with AC to 0.213 ± 0.026 F with 3D-GNS (loading 2 mgcm-2) and further to 1.817 ± 0.040 F with 3D-GNS (loading 10 mgcm-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mounika Kodali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Sadia Kabir
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Francesca Soavi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum Universita’ di Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), MSC01 1120 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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Santoro C, Serov A, Gokhale R, Rojas-Carbonell S, Stariha L, Gordon J, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. A family of Fe-N-C oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for microbial fuel cell (MFC) application: Relationships between surface chemistry and performances. APPLIED CATALYSIS. B, ENVIRONMENTAL 2017; 205:24-33. [PMID: 28515572 PMCID: PMC5310117 DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Different iron-based cathode catalysts have been studied for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media and then applied into microbial fuel cells (MFC). The catalysts have been synthesized using sacrificial support method (SSM) using eight different organic precursors named Niclosamide, Ricobendazole, Guanosine, Succinylsulfathiazole, Sulfacetamide, Quinine, Sulfadiazine and Pyrazinamide. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) curves were obtained for the catalysts using a O2 saturated in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer and 0.1 M KCl solution and a Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) setup in order to study the ORR characteristics. Additionally, we analyze the peroxide yield obtained for each catalyst which helps us determine the reaction kinetics. Those catalysts have been mixed with activated carbon (AC), carbon black (CB) and PTFE and pressed on a metallic mesh forming a pellet-like gas diffusion electrode (GDE). Results showed that Fe-Ricobendazole, Fe-Niclosamide and Fe-Pyrazinamide had the highest cathode polarization curves and highest power densities output that was above 200 μWcm-2. Fe-Ricobendazole, Fe-Niclosamide, Fe-Pyrazinamide, Fe-Guanosine Fe-Succinylsulfathiazole and Fe-Sulfacetamide outperformed compared to Pt cathode. Fe-Sulfadiazene and Fe-Quinine performed better than AC used as control but less than Pt. Correlation of surface composition with performance showed that power density achieved is directly related to the total amount of nitrogen, and in particularly, N coordinated to metal and pyridinic and pyrrolic types while larger amounts of graphitic nitrogen result in worse performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Grattieri M, Shivel ND, Sifat I, Bestetti M, Minteer SD. Sustainable Hypersaline Microbial Fuel Cells: Inexpensive Recyclable Polymer Supports for Carbon Nanotube Conductive Paint Anodes. CHEMSUSCHEM 2017; 10:2053-2058. [PMID: 28244231 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201700099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells are an emerging technology for wastewater treatment, but to be commercially viable and sustainable, the electrode materials must be inexpensive, recyclable, and reliable. In this study, recyclable polymeric supports were explored for the development of anode electrodes to be applied in single-chamber microbial fuel cells operated in field under hypersaline conditions. The support was covered with a carbon nanotube (CNT) based conductive paint, and biofilms were able to colonize the electrodes. The single-chamber microbial fuel cells with Pt-free cathodes delivered a reproducible power output after 15 days of operation to achieve 12±1 mW m-2 at a current density of 69±7 mA m-2 . The decrease of the performance in long-term experiments was mostly related to inorganic precipitates on the cathode electrode and did not affect the performance of the anode, as shown by experiments in which the cathode was replaced and the fuel cell performance was regenerated. The results of these studies show the feasibility of polymeric supports coated with CNT-based paint for microbial fuel cell applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Grattieri
- Departments of Chemistry and Material Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Rm 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Nelson D Shivel
- Departments of Chemistry and Material Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Rm 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Iram Sifat
- Departments of Chemistry and Material Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Rm 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- United States-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, 76090, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Massimiliano Bestetti
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Shelley D Minteer
- Departments of Chemistry and Material Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 315 S 1400 E Rm 2020, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
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Kodali M, Santoro C, Serov A, Kabir S, Artyushkova K, Matanovic I, Atanassov P. Air Breathing Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cell using Mn-, Fe-, Co- and Ni-containing Platinum Group Metal-free Catalysts. Electrochim Acta 2017; 231:115-124. [PMID: 28413228 PMCID: PMC5384433 DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the major factors that is limiting the overall performance output of microbial fuel cells (MFC). In this study, Platinum Group Metal-free (PGM-free) ORR catalysts based on Fe, Co, Ni, Mn and the same precursor (Aminoantipyrine, AAPyr) were synthesized using identical sacrificial support method (SSM). The catalysts were investigated for their electrochemical performance, and then integrated into an air-breathing cathode to be tested in "clean" environment and in a working microbial fuel cell (MFC). Their performances were also compared to activated carbon (AC) based cathode under similar conditions. Results showed that the addition of Mn, Fe, Co and Ni to AAPyr increased the performances compared to AC. Fe-AAPyr showed the highest open circuit potential (OCP) that was 0.307 ± 0.001 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and the highest electrocatalytic activity at pH 7.5. On the contrary, AC had an OCP of 0.203 ± 0.002 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and had the lowest electrochemical activity. In MFC, Fe-AAPyr also had the highest output of 251 ± 2.3 μWcm-2, followed by Co-AAPyr with 196 ± 1.5 μWcm-2, Ni-AAPyr with 171 ± 3.6 μWcm-2, Mn-AAPyr with 160 ± 2.8 μWcm-2 and AC 129 ± 4.2 μWcm-2. The best performing catalyst (Fe-AAPyr) was then tested in MFC with increasing solution conductivity from 12.4 mScm-1 to 63.1 mScm-1. A maximum power density of 482 ± 5 μWcm-2 was obtained with increasing solution conductivity, which is one of the highest values reported in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounika Kodali
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alexey Serov
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Sadia Kabir
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Ivana Matanovic
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.,Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Center Micro-Engineered Materials (CMEM), Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in neutral electrolyte. Electrochem commun 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Sawant SY, Han TH, Cho MH. Metal-Free Carbon-Based Materials: Promising Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Microbial Fuel Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 18:E25. [PMID: 28029116 PMCID: PMC5297660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising green approach for wastewater treatment with the simultaneous advantage of energy production. Among the various limiting factors, the cathodic limitation, with respect to performance and cost, is one of the main obstacles to the practical applications of MFCs. Despite the high performance of platinum and other metal-based cathodes, their practical use is limited by their high cost, low stability, and environmental toxicity. Oxygen is the most favorable electron acceptor in the case of MFCs, which reduces to water through a complicated oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Carbon-based ORR catalysts possessing high surface area and good electrical conductivity improve the ORR kinetics by lowering the cathodic overpotential. Recently, a range of carbon-based materials have attracted attention for their exceptional ORR catalytic activity and high stability. Doping the carbon texture with a heteroatom improved their ORR activity remarkably through the favorable adsorption of oxygen and weaker molecular bonding. This review provides better insight into ORR catalysis for MFCs and the properties, performance, and applicability of various metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts in MFCs to find the most appropriate cathodic catalyst for the practical applications. The approaches for improvement, key challenges, and future opportunities in this field are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh Y Sawant
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
| | - Thi Hiep Han
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
| | - Moo Hwan Cho
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Korea.
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