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Dubrovin IA, Hirsch LO, Chiliveru A, Jukanti A, Rozenfeld S, Schechter A, Cahan R. Microbial Electrolysis Cells Based on a Bacterial Anode Encapsulated with a Dialysis Bag Including Graphite Particles. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1486. [PMID: 39065254 PMCID: PMC11278843 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the main barriers to MEC applicability is the bacterial anode. Usually, the bacterial anode contains non-exoelectrogenic bacteria that act as a physical barrier by settling on the anode surface and displacing the exoelectrogenic microorganisms. Those non-exoelectrogens can also compete with exoelectrogenic microorganisms for nutrients and reduce hydrogen production. In this study, the bacterial anode was encapsulated by a dialysis bag including suspended graphite particles to improve current transfer from the bacteria to the anode material. An anode encapsulated in a dialysis bag without graphite particles, and a bare anode, were used as controls. The MEC with the graphite-dialysis-bag anode was fed with artificial wastewater, leading to a current density, hydrogen production rate, and areal capacitance of 2.73 A·m-2, 134.13 F·m-2, and 7.6 × 10-2 m3·m-3·d-1, respectively. These were highest when compared to the MECs based on the dialysis-bag anode and bare anode (1.73 and 0.33 A·m-2, 82.50 and 13.75 F·m-2, 4.2 × 10-2 and 5.2 × 10-3 m3·m-3·d-1, respectively). The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the modified graphite-dialysis-bag anode showed the lowest charge transfer resistance of 35 Ω. The COD removal results on the 25th day were higher when the MEC based on the graphite-dialysis-bag anode was fed with Geobacter medium (53%) than when it was fed with artificial wastewater (40%). The coulombic efficiency of the MEC based on the graphite-dialysis-bag anode was 12% when was fed with Geobacter medium and 15% when was fed with artificial wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Amar Dubrovin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
| | - Lea Ouaknin Hirsch
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
| | - Abhishiktha Chiliveru
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
| | - Avinash Jukanti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
| | - Shmuel Rozenfeld
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
| | - Alex Schechter
- Department of Chemistry, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Rivka Cahan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (I.A.D.); (L.O.H.); (A.C.); (A.J.); (S.R.)
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Hirsch LO, Gandu B, Chiliveru A, Dubrovin IA, Jukanti A, Schechter A, Cahan R. Hydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Using an Alginate Hydrogel Bioanode Encapsulated with a Filter Bag. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1996. [PMID: 39065313 PMCID: PMC11280511 DOI: 10.3390/polym16141996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The bacterial anode of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) is the limiting factor in a high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This study focused on improving biofilm attachment to a carbon-cloth anode using an alginate hydrogel. In addition, the modified bioanode was encapsulated by a filter bag that served as a physical barrier, to overcome its low mechanical strength and alginate degradation by certain bacterial species in wastewater. The MEC based on an encapsulated alginate bioanode (alginate bioanode encapsulated by a filter bag) was compared with three controls: an MEC based on a bare bioanode (non-immobilized bioanode), an alginate bioanode, and an encapsulated bioanode (bioanode encapsulated by a filter bag). At the beginning of the operation, the Rct value for the encapsulated alginate bioanode was 240.2 Ω, which decreased over time and dropped to 9.8 Ω after three weeks of operation when the Geobacter medium was used as the carbon source. When the MECs were fed with wastewater, the encapsulated alginate bioanode led to the highest current density of 9.21 ± 0.16 A·m-2 (at 0.4 V), which was 20%, 95%, and 180% higher, compared to the alginate bioanode, bare bioanode, and encapsulated bioanode, respectively. In addition, the encapsulated alginate bioanode led to the highest reduction currents of (4.14 A·m-2) and HER of 0.39 m3·m-3·d-1. The relative bacterial distribution of Geobacter was 79%. The COD removal by all the bioanodes was between 62% and 88%. The findings of this study demonstrate that the MEC based on the encapsulated alginate bioanode exhibited notably higher bio-electroactivity compared to both bare, alginate bioanode, and an encapsulated bioanode. We hypothesize that this improvement in electron transfer rate is attributed to the preservation and the biofilm on the anode material using alginate hydrogel which was inserted into a filter bag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Ouaknin Hirsch
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
| | - Bharath Gandu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India
| | - Abhishiktha Chiliveru
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
| | - Irina Amar Dubrovin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
| | - Avinash Jukanti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
| | - Alex Schechter
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Research and Development Centre for Renewable Energy, New Technologies, Research Centre (NTC), University of West Bohemia, 30100 Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Rivka Cahan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (L.O.H.); (B.G.); (A.C.); (I.A.D.); (A.J.)
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Wang Z, Li D, Shi Y, Sun Y, Okeke SI, Yang L, Zhang W, Zhang Z, Shi Y, Xiao L. Recent Implementations of Hydrogel-Based Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) in Sensing Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:641. [PMID: 36679438 PMCID: PMC9866333 DOI: 10.3390/s23020641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel materials have been used extensively in microbial electrochemical technology (MET) and sensor development due to their high biocompatibility and low toxicity. With an increasing demand for sensors across different sectors, it is crucial to understand the current state within the sectors of hydrogel METs and sensors. Surprisingly, a systematic review examining the application of hydrogel-based METs to sensor technologies has not yet been conducted. This review aimed to identify the current research progress surrounding the incorporation of hydrogels within METs and sensors development, with a specific focus on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The manufacturing process/cost, operational performance, analysis accuracy and stability of typical hydrogel materials in METs and sensors were summarised and analysed. The current challenges facing the technology as well as potential direction for future research were also discussed. This review will substantially promote the understanding of hydrogel materials used in METs and benefit the development of electrochemical biosensors using hydrogel-based METs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeena Wang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dunzhu Li
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yunhong Shi
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yifan Sun
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Saviour I. Okeke
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luming Yang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zihan Zhang
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yanqi Shi
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Liwen Xiao
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
- TrinityHaus, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
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Lee HS, Xin W, Katakojwala R, Venkata Mohan S, Tabish NMD. Microbial electrolysis cells for the production of biohydrogen in dark fermentation - A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127934. [PMID: 36100184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To assess biohydrogen for future green energy, this review revisited dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Hydrogen evolution rate in mesophilic dark fermentation is as high as 192 m3 H2/m3-d, however hydrogen yield is limited. MECs are ideal for improving hydrogen yield from carboxylate accumulated from dark fermentation, whereas hydrogen production rate is too slow in MECs. Hence, improving anode kinetic is very important for realizing MEC biohydrogen. Intracellular electron transfer (IET) and extracellular electron transfer (EET) can limit current density in MECs, which is proportional to hydrogen evolution rate. EET does not limit current density once electrically conductive biofilms are formed on anodes, potentially producing 300 A/m2. Hence, IET kinetics mainly govern current density in MECs. Among parameters associated with IET kinetic, population of anode-respiring bacteria in anode biofilms, biofilm density of active microorganisms, biofilm thickness, and alkalinity are critical for current density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wang Xin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ranaprathap Katakojwala
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Noori M D Tabish
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcala, Alcala De Henares, Madrid 28801, Spain
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