Anode and cathode materials characterization for a microbial fuel cell in half cell configuration

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 2457-2461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Pant ◽  
Gilbert Van Bogaert ◽  
Christof Porto-Carrero ◽  
Ludo Diels ◽  
Karolien Vanbroekhoven

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are novel bioelectrochemical devices for spontaneous conversion of biomass into electricity through the metabolic activity of the bacteria. Microbial production of electricity may become an important source of bioenergy in future because MFCs offer the possibility of extracting electric current from a wide range of soluble or dissolved complex organic wastes and renewable biomass. However, the materials used in these devices are still not economic and researchers use different materials as cathode and anode in MFCs. This results in variable performance which is difficult to compare. We tested several commercially available materials for their suitability as anode in an acetate fed MFC. Besides, a novel non-platinized activated carbon (AC) based, gas porous air cathode was also tested. Both the anode and cathode were tested in a half cell configuration. Carbon cloth, graphite cloth and dynamically stable anode (DSA) served as ideal anode material with carbon cloth and graphite mesh reaching the open circuit voltage (OCV) of acetate oxidation (−500 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). The effect of increasing concentration of acetate on anode OCV was also investigated and results showed that on increasing the acetate concentration from 10 mM to 40 mM has no adverse impact on the anodic activity towards electrochemical oxidation of acetate. The AC cathode showed stable current (−1.2 mA/cm2) over a period of 100 days.

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Eti Barua ◽  
Md Saddam Hossain ◽  
Modhusudon Shaha ◽  
Ekramul Islam ◽  
Fatema Tuj Zohora ◽  
...  

Microbial fuel cell (MFC), recently, is considered as a promising alternative to traditional power sources as it can use microorganisms to transform chemical energy of organic compounds into electricity. In future, microbial production of electricity may become an important form of bioenergy because electricity extraction is possible through MFC using wide range soluble or nonsoluble complex organic wastes as a renewable biomass. In this study, single chamber MFC and double chambers MFCs were used to production and enrichment a microbial consortium for electricity generation from organic waste samples. Potential electrogenic bacteria were also isolated from anode, analyzed and evaluated. Most of them were Gram negative and fermentative organisms. Their electrogenic role was promising generating upto 5.05 volts and 4.72 mA when combined five) double chambers in series connection. Isolation of these bacteria and employing these for generation of electricity may bring potential power sector endeavor in future. Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 35 Number 1 June 2018, pp 23-26


Author(s):  
Omkar S Powar ◽  
Lakshminarayana Bhatta ◽  
Raghavendra Prasad ◽  
Krishna Venkatesh ◽  
A.V. Raghu

In this study electricity generation was evaluated in a two chambered microbial fuel cell. Performance of microbial fuel cells using two bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus coagulans and using three different electrodes namely graphite blocks, carbon cloth and graphite sheet was studied. The device was operated under anaerobic condition in the anode chamber and parameters were recorded for a period of 48 hours. The performance of MFC was analyzed by the measurement of open circuit voltage, polarization curves, impedance curves and cyclic voltammetry. Among different combinations of electrode tested, carbon cloth electrode produced high power density (80 mW/m2). Graphite block gave much high power compared to sheet. Finally, performance was compared with Shewanellaputrefaciens. The current study explores the applicability of carbon electrode for MFC applications.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1308-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Krishna Katuri ◽  
Piet Lens ◽  
Dónal Leech

Electrochemical gradients are the backbone of basic cellular functions, including chemo-osmotic transport and ATP synthesis. Microbial growth, terminal respiratory proteins and external electron transfer are major pathways competing for electrons. In BESs (bioelectrochemical systems), such as MFCs (microbial fuel cells), the electron flow can be via soluble inorganic/organic molecules or to a solid surface. The flow of electrons towards a solid surface can be via outer-membrane cytochromes or electron-shuttle molecules, mediated by conductive protein nanowires or extracellular matrices. In MECs (microbial electrolysis cells), the anode potential can vary over a wide range, which alters the thermodynamic energy available for bacteria capable of donating electrons to the electrode [termed EAB (electroactive bacteria)]. Thus the anode potential is an important electrochemical parameter determining the growth, electron distribution/transfer and electrical activity of films of these bacteria on electrodes. Different optimal applied potentials to anodes have been suggested in the literature, for selection for microbial growth, diversity and performance in biofilms on electrodes. In the present paper, we review the effects of anode potentials on electron-transfer properties of such biofilms, and report on the effect that electrochemical cell configuration may have on performance.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2237 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Sarika ◽  
Paul Nancarrow ◽  
Abdulrahman Khansaheb ◽  
Taleb Ibrahim

Phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin continues to dominate the resin industry more than 100 years after its first synthesis. Its versatile properties such as thermal stability, chemical resistance, fire resistance, and dimensional stability make it a suitable material for a wide range of applications. PF resins have been used in the wood industry as adhesives, in paints and coatings, and in the aerospace, construction, and building industries as composites and foams. Currently, petroleum is the key source of raw materials used in manufacturing PF resin. However, increasing environmental pollution and fossil fuel depletion have driven industries to seek sustainable alternatives to petroleum based raw materials. Over the past decade, researchers have replaced phenol and formaldehyde with sustainable materials such as lignin, tannin, cardanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, and glyoxal to produce bio-based PF resin. Several synthesis modifications are currently under investigation towards improving the properties of bio-based phenolic resin. This review discusses recent developments in the synthesis of PF resins, particularly those created from sustainable raw material substitutes, and modifications applied to the synthetic route in order to improve the mechanical properties.


Author(s):  
Peijia Wang ◽  
Jiajie Huang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Peiheng Sun ◽  
...  

Hierarchically core–branched iron cobalt selenide arrays coated with N-doped carbon shell were designed and synthesized on carbon cloth, showing prominent electrochemical performance both in half-cell and full cell sodium ion batteries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 7726-7735
Author(s):  
Da Liu ◽  
Weicheng Huang ◽  
Qinghuan Chang ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Ruiwen Wang ◽  
...  

TiN nanoarrays, in situ grown on carbon cloth gather 97.2% of the model exoelectrogen Geobacter, greatly enhancing the MFCs' performance. The experimental results and DFT calculation certify the importance of the micro–nano-hierarchical structure.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Vitalii Bezgin ◽  
Agata Dudek ◽  
Adam Gnatowski

This paper proposes and presents the chemical modification of linear hydroxyethers (LHE) with different molecular weights (380, 640, and 1830 g/mol) with the addition of three types of rubbers (polysulfide rubber (PSR), polychloroprene rubber (PCR), and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)). The main purpose of choosing this type of modification and the materials used was the possibility to use it in industrial settings. The modification process was conducted for a very wide range of modifier additions (rubber) per 100 g LHE. The materials obtained in the study were subjected to strength tests in order to determine the effect of the modification on functional properties. Mechanical properties of the modified materials were improved after the application of the modifier (rubber) to polyhydroxyether (up to certain modifier content). The most favorable changes in the tested materials were registered in the modification of LHE-1830 with PSR. In the case of LHE-380 and LHE-640 modified in cyclohexanol (CH) and chloroform (CF) solutions, an increase in the values of the tested properties was also obtained, but to a lesser extent than for LHE-1830. The largest changes were registered for LHE-1830 with PSR in CH solution: from 12.1 to 15.3 MPa for compressive strength tests, from 0.8 to 1.5 MPa for tensile testing, from 0.8 to 14.7 MPa for shear strength, and from 1% to 6.5% for the maximum elongation. The analysis of the available literature showed that the modification proposed by the authors has not yet been presented in any previous scientific paper.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Jeanine Rismondo ◽  
Lisa Maria Schulz

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are usually involved in the translocation of their cognate substrates, which is driven by ATP hydrolysis. Typically, these transporters are required for the import or export of a wide range of substrates such as sugars, ions and complex organic molecules. ABC exporters can also be involved in the export of toxic compounds such as antibiotics. However, recent studies revealed alternative detoxification mechanisms of ABC transporters. For instance, the ABC transporter BceAB of Bacillus subtilis seems to confer resistance to bacitracin via target protection. In addition, several transporters with functions other than substrate export or import have been identified in the past. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings on ABC transporters of the Gram-positive organisms B. subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes with transport or regulatory functions affecting antibiotic resistance, cell wall biosynthesis, cell division and sporulation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 182 ◽  
pp. 159-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Molero-Sánchez ◽  
Paul Addo ◽  
Aligul Buyukaksoy ◽  
Scott Paulson ◽  
Viola Birss

The use of a single porous mixed ion-electron conducting (MIEC) material as both the oxygen and fuel electrodes in reversible solid oxide cells is of increasing interest, primarily due to the resulting simplified cell design and lower manufacturing costs. In this work, La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ (LSFCr-3) was studied in a 3-electrode half-cell configuration in air, pure CO2 and in a 1 : 1 CO2 : CO mixture, over a temperature range of 650–800 °C. A detailed analysis of the impedance (EIS) data, under both open circuit and polarized conditions, as well as the cyclic voltammetry response of LSFCr-3 has shown that it is very active in all of these environments, but with oxygen evolution being somewhat more facile that oxygen reduction, and CO2 reduction more active than CO oxidation. Evidence for a chemical capacitance, associated with the Fe3+/4+ redox process in LSFCr-3, was also obtained from the EIS and CV data in all gas environments.


Author(s):  
Calin CORDUBAN ◽  
Giovanna BOCHICCHIO ◽  
Andrea POLASTRI ◽  
Ario CECCOTTI

Timber has been rediscovered as the building material of choice in recent years, especially in industrialised countries, with the shift of focus on attitudes towards sustainability that include use of natural resources and reduction of CO 2 emissions in manufacturing building materials. The environmental qualities of wood (energy-efficiency, healphy building material, ability to be recycled) are matched by few materials used in constructions nowadays, makeing it suitable for a wide range of applications. The combustibility of wood is limiting its use in construction, an important weakness in terms of sustainability, as health and cost issues constitute essential conditions in sustainability assessment methods. Arguably, fire safety constitutes the foremost precondition in choosing wood as the building material. In the case of fire, wood burns on the surface, releases energy and contributes to the fire propagation and spread of smoke. In order to insure greater safety for timber constructions, both passive and active measures of fire protection can be implemented, with the main objectives of improving the security of occupants, limitations of financial loss, protection of the environment in the case of fire. Despite the fear of using wood, the material has a better behavior in terms of fire than assumed, and even with structures more susceptible at fire risks, such as platform framing, measures can be taken in order to improve safety, as further explained in the article. The article analyses the concept of sustainability and the extent to which timber constructions observe these criteria, focusing on the means of increasing safety by fire protection methods with respect to the environment.


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