Sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite as anode material and its electrochemical property in microbial fuel cells on ocean floor

Abstract

A unique sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite was synthesized and utilized as a composite anode in microbial fuel cells on ocean floor (BMFCs). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize its chemical composition and morphology. Wettability of the composite anodes decreases due to the addition of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The electrochemical behavior of the composite anodes was investigated by means of linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel plot measurements. Compared with the plain graphite anode, the composite anode significantly improves the power density, 5.5-fold higher, reaching 187.1 mW/m 2 and gives a 27-fold higher exchange current density and a higher kinetic activity. A novel synergistic mechanism between sulfonated polyaniline and vanadate is proposed to explain the excellent electrochemical performance. This composite thus has great potential to be used as an anode material for a high-power BMFC. sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite, anode material, microbial fuel cells on ocean floor, power density, electrochemical property

Behavior of metal ions in bioelectrochemical systems: A review

“…Fu et al synthesized and utilized a unique sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite as anode material in benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs), reaching a 5.5-fold higher power density, a 27-fold higher exchange current density and a higher kinetic activity compared with those of a system with plain graphite anode. Sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite can accelerate the substance exchange on the interface between anode and the substrate, which suggests that vanadate in composite promotes the growth of microorganism and higher electrons production [96].…”

Sediment microbial fuel cells as a new source of renewable and sustainable energy: present status and future prospects

“…36 The anode material requires high conductivity, environmental stability and good redox reversibility. 48 Current and power densities for different anode materials and geometries are shown in Table 4. Graphite, stainless steel and carbon are common materials used in SMFCs.…”

“…Until now, limited research has been done on SMFC scale-up. In general, the most signicant investigations on sediment microbial fuel cells have been conducted by Tian-Shun Song, 24,29,[42][43][44] Chun-Chong Fu [45][46][47][48] and Seok Won Hong. 25,[49][50][51] Recently, there has been a rise in the number of published articles on this subject with the United States of America being the major source of such publications.…”

A novel anode modified by 1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite in marine sediment microbial fuel cell and its electrochemical performance

“…Anode is the acceptor of extracellular electron transfer, and its material and structure mainly affect microbial adhesion, transfer ability of electron, and electrode impedance . Abundant researches have been done to improve the output power of MSMFC by discovering new anode modification methods currently accompanied by shortcomings of high cost, many by‐products, and poor mechanical properties …”