Composite of medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates‐co‐methyl acrylate and carbon nanotubes as innovative electrodes modifier in microbial fuel cell

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.

Artificial polyhydroxyalkanoate poly[2-hydroxybutyrate-block-3-hydroxybutyrate] elastomer-like material

“…Bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biobased polyesters that can be used as commodity plastics 1 and have attracted considerable interest because of their superior biodegradability in a range of different natural environments, including the sea 2 . In addition, PHAs are used in a variety of potential applications, such as biocompatible materials 3 , components in composites 4,5 , and components in functionalized protein complexes 6 . A key technology for the practical use of PHAs is the regulation of their physical properties.…”

Recent biopolymers used for membrane fuel cells: Characterization analysis perspectives

“…173 The development of PEM using microorganisms like, polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyalkanoate, could somehow overcome the highly cost of Nafion and thus highly improved. Sirajudeen et al 174 worked on wastewater treatment and electrical generation via microbial fuel cell application. The PEM was made up of fixed concentration of mediumchain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) and 5-15 wt% of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) blend.…”

Polymeric nanocomposition for innovative functional enhancement of electrodes and proton exchange membrane in microbial fuel cell

“…13 It is hypothesized that the superiority in mcl-PHA-co-PEGMA/MWCNT electrode originates from its better biocompatibility and synergistic relationship between the Escherichia coli biocatalyst and the modified anode surface. Recently, Sirajudeen et al 16 modified the surface of purified CC with amphiphilic mcl-PHA-co-methyl acrylate composited with functionalized MWCNT as electrode modifier. The modified anode electrode shows improved conductivity, superior redox peak, stable and elevated voltage and enhanced power and current densities, attributed to improved electron transfer rate on modified anode surface.…”

“…The modified anode electrode shows improved conductivity, superior redox peak, stable and elevated voltage and enhanced power and current densities, attributed to improved electron transfer rate on modified anode surface. 16 Polycaprolactone (PCL) nano-and micro-fibers have also been composited with gold particles and utilized as anode modifier. 36 While high activation loss and high internal resistance are reported, the modified electrode nonetheless shows an improved stability of maximum voltage at 600 mV up to 10 days MFC operation.…”

“…Modification of the anode electrode with polymeric nanocomposites has been reported to reduce internal resistance and improve overall MFC performance arising from more efficient extracellular transfer of electrons to the anode surface. [12][13][14][15][16] A detail review article addressing anode modifications for improved MFC performance has been presented by Hindatu et al 12 . Recent anode modifications with polymeric nanomaterials are discussed herewith.…”