Semi-wet methanogen cathode composed of oak white charcoal for developing sustainable microbial fuel cells

Nakano, Hajime; Nakayasu, Yuta; Umetsu, Masaki; Tada, Chika

doi:10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.03.009

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…accumulate on semi‐wet cathodes. [ 17 ] Based on this, the 3D‐printed electrode in this study can be considered a methanogen cathode. In the future, further shape modifications and analysis of the electrode performance can enable the development of more efficient 3D‐printed biocathodes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Oak white charcoal is a suitable material for biocathodes because it has high conductivity, micropores, and is eco‐friendly. [ 17 ] In this study, white oak charcoal was prepared using the traditional Japanese carbonization method. White charcoal was ground using a hammer and sieved to obtain particles 45–100 µm in size.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We previously reported that MFCs using methanogens as biocathodes can generate electricity and methane while degrading organic matter. [ 16,17 ] The efficient attachment of a large number of methanogens to the electrode material (carbon felt) was a crucial part of the process, through which we successfully enhanced the affinity of the methanogens to the electrode material. [ 18 ] Furthermore, an efficient biocathode can be fabricated by binding conductive materials (oak white charcoal particles) with anaerobic microorganisms attached to them on an agarose gel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 18 ] Furthermore, an efficient biocathode can be fabricated by binding conductive materials (oak white charcoal particles) with anaerobic microorganisms attached to them on an agarose gel. [ 17 ] However, there are no reports on the 3D printing of anaerobic archaeal methanogens, and the printing of both methanogens and white charcoal, which have porous particles that form the basis of the electrode. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to simultaneously 3D‐print archaeal methanogens and electrodes using an alginate gel with high biocompatibility and ink mixed with micro‐order white charcoal particles as the electrode base material and confirmed the methanogenic activity of the methanogens in the 3D‐printed electrode.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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3D‐Printed Methane‐Producing Electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Developed Using Biogel Ink Containing Live Methanogens and White Charcoal

Umetsu,

Watanabe,

Ueno

et al. 2023

Macro Materials & Eng

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Methanogens are used as catalysts for cathodes in microbial fuel cells, to reduce CO2 to CH4. However, the attachment of microbes to the electrodes via culturing is time‐consuming, and inadequate biofilm formation can lead to lesser surface area coverage, resulting in reduced methane formation. This study aims to improve the production efficiency and performance of methanogen cathodes developed using 3D printing of bioink containing live methanogens. A progressive cavity pump is used for the 3D gel‐printing of methanogens and micro‐sized white charcoal particles into the desired structure. Despite the absence of anaerobic conditions during printing, the 3D‐printed cathodes with higher concentrations of microbial inoculum in the bioink produce more methane gas. Even with an unconcentrated inoculum, the methanogens multiply 800‐fold during incubation, resulting in increased methane gas production. The predominant methanogens in the electrodes included the hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium spp. Therefore, the technique used in this study can be used to successfully develop 3D‐printed biocathodes catalyzed by methanogenic microbes with verifiable practical applicability. This study is the first to report the growth of methanogens and their methanogenic activity in 3D‐printed cathodes.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

3D‐Printed Methane‐Producing Electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Developed Using Biogel Ink Containing Live Methanogens and White Charcoal

Umetsu,

Watanabe,

Ueno

et al. 2023

Macro Materials & Eng

Self Cite

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Methanogen Biocathode Microbial Fuel Cell System That Simultaneously Achieves Cattle‐Barn Wastewater Treatment and Carbon Dioxide Utilization

Nakayasu,

Nakano,

Umetsu

et al. 2024

Energy Tech

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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) present a promising alternative to traditional activated sludge treatment for livestock wastewater, offering a carbon‐neutral, sustainable approach to wastewater management. Activated sludge treatment requires significant energy input for aeration and produces unpleasant odors. MFCs eliminate the need for energy‐intensive aeration, simultaneously generating energy during wastewater treatment. Platinum‐based electrodes commonly used in the cathode of MFCs pose a significant cost barrier, necessitating advancements in electrode materials for practical, large‐scale application. This study reports on the performance of a continuous methanogen biocathode MFC system engineered to simultaneously treat cattle‐barn wastewater and utilize carbon dioxide without 2‐bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES). Carbon felt treated with nitric acid without BES successfully reduces methane production by 93%. An MFC configuration utilizing nitric acid‐treated carbon felt as the anode and an oak‐derived carbon electrode as the cathode effectively treat wastewater and convert CO2 to methane, yielding a power density of 5.5 mW m−2 and Coulombic efficiency of 7.3%, approximately twice those without nitric acid treatment and surpassing even the performance of the system with BES treatment. This system represents a promising, low‐cost, and environmentally sustainable approach to renewable energy production and livestock wastewater treatment.

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Iron azaphthalocyanine electrocatalysts for enhancing oxygen reduction reactions under neutral conditions and power density in microbial fuel cells

Nyangau,

Abe,

Nakayasu

et al. 2023

Bioresource Technology Reports

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Semi-wet methanogen cathode composed of oak white charcoal for developing sustainable microbial fuel cells

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

3D‐Printed Methane‐Producing Electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Developed Using Biogel Ink Containing Live Methanogens and White Charcoal

3D‐Printed Methane‐Producing Electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Developed Using Biogel Ink Containing Live Methanogens and White Charcoal

Methanogen Biocathode Microbial Fuel Cell System That Simultaneously Achieves Cattle‐Barn Wastewater Treatment and Carbon Dioxide Utilization

Iron azaphthalocyanine electrocatalysts for enhancing oxygen reduction reactions under neutral conditions and power density in microbial fuel cells

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