Improved performance of membrane free single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells with nitric acid and ethylenediamine surface modified activated carbon fiber felt anodes

Zhu, Nengwu; Chen, Xi; Zhang, Ting; Wu, Pingxiao; Ping, Li; Wu, Jinhua

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2010.06.046

Cited by 204 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…Firstly, the MWCNT in EPD-3D are considerably thinner in diameter as those previously grown (9.5nm now vs 60nm average diameter in work previously reported) by CVD (Chapter 6). Moreover, the MWCNT layer on the EPD-3D consists of functionalized MWCNT, since the nanotubes underwent a strong chemical oxidation prior to the electrophoretic deposition step [134,136,137]. Finally, when comparing the high resolution SEM images of both structures, we observe that the MWCNT layer in EPD-3D is much denser than work previously reported (Chapter 6, Figure 19).…”

Section: Implications Towards Practical Implementationcontrasting

confidence: 39%

“…The electron transfer potential is thus maintained at the enzyme redox potential, instead of the mediator potential. For instance, pre-treating anodes with ammonia gas at 700ºC [133], with nitric acid and ethylenediamine [134], with HNO 3 and quinone/quinoids [135], or HNO 3 and hydrazine [136] all showed successful at enhancing the current density at anodes of microbial fuel cells. Zhou et al…”

Section: Bioanode Electrode Materials -A Brief Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microbial electrosynthesis from carbon dioxide: performance enhancement and elucidation of mechanisms

Jourdin¹

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Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of organics from carbon dioxide has been recently put forward as an attractive technology for the renewable production of valuable multi-carbon reduced end-products and as a promising CO 2 transformation strategy. MES is a biocathode-driven process that relies on the conversion of electrical energy into high energy-density chemicals. However, MES remains a nascent concept and there is still limited knowledge on many aspects.It is still unclear whether autotrophic microbial biocathode biofilms are able to selfregenerate under purely cathodic conditions without any external electron or organic carbon sources. Here we report on the successful development and long-term operation of an autotrophic biocathode whereby an electroactive biofilm was able to grow and sustain itself with CO 2 and the cathode as sole carbon and electron source, respectively, with H 2 as sole product. From a small inoculum of 15 mg COD (in 250 mL), the bioelectrochemical system operating at -0.5 V vs. SHE enabled an estimated biofilm growth of 300 mg as COD over a period of 276 days.A critical aspect is that reported performances of bioelectrosynthesis of organics are still insufficient for scaling MES to practical applications. Selective microbial consortia and biocathode material development are of paramount importance towards performance enhancement. A novel biocompatible, highly conductive three-dimensional cathode was manufactured by direct growth of flexible multiwalled carbon nanotubes on reticulated vitreous carbon (NanoWeb-RVC) by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The results demonstrated that: (i) the high surface area to volume ratio of the macroporous RVC maximizes the available biofilm area while ensuring effective mass transfer to and from the biofilm, and (ii) the nanostructure enhances the bacteria-electrode interaction, biofilm development, microbial extracellular electron transfer, and acetate bioproduction rate.However, for scale-up beyond certain sizes, there are some limitations with the CVD technique. We harnessed the throwing power of electrophoretic deposition technique (EPD), suitable for industrial scale production, to form multi-walled CNT coatings onto RVC to generate a new hierarchical porous structure, hereafter called EPD-3D. A very effective mixed microbial consortium was successfully enriched and transferred to EPD-3D reactors and demonstrated drastic performance enhancement reaching biocathode current density of -102 ± 1 A m -2 and acetate production rate of 685 ± 30 g m -2 day -1 .ii An in-depth understanding on how electrons flow from the cathode to the terminal electron acceptor is still missing but crucial (e.g. for improved reactor design). High rates of acetate production by microbial electrosynthesis was shown to occur via biologically-induced hydrogen, likely through the biological synthesis of metal copper particles, with 99 ± 1% electron recovery into acetate. The acetate-producing bacteria showed the remarkable ability to consume a high H 2 flux (ca. 1.15 m ...

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Section: Implications Towards Practical Implementationcontrasting

confidence: 39%

Section: Bioanode Electrode Materials -A Brief Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial electrosynthesis from carbon dioxide: performance enhancement and elucidation of mechanisms

Jourdin¹

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“…Power density as a function of current density (normalized to surface area) [32][33][34] or absolute current [35] has also been reported. Still others report absolute power as a function of current density normalized to electrode surface area [36] or absolute power as a function of cell potential [37]. Polarization curves on individual electrodes and the full MFC have been reported along with voltage and power (normalized to surface area) versus time [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Standardized Characterization of a Flow Through Microbial Fuel Cell

Higgins¹,

Lau²,

Atanassov³

et al. 2011

Electroanalysis

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Microbial fuel cell research is a relatively new and fast growing field of interdisciplinary effort that has drawn scientists from several disparate disciplines. Consequently, establishing a "common language" regarding the "means and ways" of experimental preparation, data collection and characterization to obtain accurate and comparable figures of merit (describing microbial fuel cell performance) has proven difficult. We present a methodology for comprehensive engineering analysis from inoculation through batch, fed-batch and finally continuous flow operation, and detail how a modified stack cell design complements this. More, our cell is able to operate near the thermodynamic maximum potential for oxidation of lactate.

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“…The alkalinity at the cathode is due to the formation of OH-from the ORR the layers have been applied outside. The performance of separator-less MFCs was also improved by modifying the configuration of their electrodes [16][17][18]. While novel nanofiber-reinforced membranes have reduced the cost of materials used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) [19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%