IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i10p4238-d1152483.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Design and Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cells and Evaluation of a New Air-Breathing Cathode Based on Carbon Felt Modified with a Hydrogel—Ion Jelly ®

Author

Listed:
  • Rui N. L. Carvalho

    (Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Luisa L. Monteiro

    (Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Silvia A. Sousa

    (Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Sudarsu V. Ramanaiah

    (Food and Biotechnology Research Lab, South Ural State University (National Research University), 454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia)

  • Jorge H. Leitão

    (Department of Bioengineering (DBE), Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), The Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB), Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Cristina M. Cordas

    (Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal)

  • Luis P. Fonseca

    (Department of Bioengineering (DBE), Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), The Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB), Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

The increased demand for alternative sustainable energy sources has boosted research in the field of fuel cells (FC). Among these, microbial fuel cells (MFC), based on microbial anodes and different types of cathodes, have been the subject of renewed interest due to their ability to simultaneously perform wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. Several different MFCs have been proposed in this work using different conditions and configurations, namely cathode materials, membranes, external resistances, and microbial composition, among other factors. This work reports the design and optimization of MFC performance and evaluates a hydrogel (Ion Jelly ® ) modified air-breathing cathode, with and without an immobilized laccase enzyme. This MFC configuration was also compared with other MFC configuration performances, namely abiotic and biocathodes, concerning wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Similar efficiencies in COD reduction, voltage (375 mV), PD (48 mW/m 2 ), CD (130 mA/m 2 ), and OCP (534 mV) were obtained. The results point out the important role of Ion Jelly ® in improving the MFC air-breathing cathode performance as it has the advantage that its electroconductivity properties can be designed before modifying the cathode electrodes. The biofilm on MFC anodic electrodes presented a lower microbial diversity than the wastewater treatment effluent used as inocula, and inclusively Geobacteracea was also identified due to the high microbial selective niches constituted by MFC systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui N. L. Carvalho & Luisa L. Monteiro & Silvia A. Sousa & Sudarsu V. Ramanaiah & Jorge H. Leitão & Cristina M. Cordas & Luis P. Fonseca, 2023. "Design and Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cells and Evaluation of a New Air-Breathing Cathode Based on Carbon Felt Modified with a Hydrogel—Ion Jelly ®," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4238-:d:1152483
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/10/4238/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/10/4238/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Subhashis Das & Rajnish Kaur Calay, 2022. "Experimental Study of Power Generation and COD Removal Efficiency by Air Cathode Microbial Fuel Cell Using Shewanella baltica 20," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Trapero, Juan R. & Horcajada, Laura & Linares, Jose J. & Lobato, Justo, 2017. "Is microbial fuel cell technology ready? An economic answer towards industrial commercialization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 698-707.
    3. Ranjit Gurav & Shashi Kant Bhatia & Tae-Rim Choi & Hyun-Joong Kim & Hong-Ju Lee & Jang-Yeon Cho & Sion Ham & Min-Ju Suh & Sang-Hyun Kim & Sun-Ki Kim & Dong-Won Yoo & Yung-Hun Yang, 2021. "Seafood Processing Chitin Waste for Electricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell Using Halotolerant Catalyst Oceanisphaera arctica YHY1," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-9, July.
    4. Rahimnejad, Mostafa & Ghoreyshi, Ali Asghar & Najafpour, Ghasem & Jafary, Tahereh, 2011. "Power generation from organic substrate in batch and continuous flow microbial fuel cell operations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3999-4004.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Giulia Massaglia & Adriano Sacco & Alain Favetto & Luciano Scaltrito & Sergio Ferrero & Roberto Mo & Candido F. Pirri & Marzia Quaglio, 2021. "Integration of Portable Sedimentary Microbial Fuel Cells in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Massaglia, Giulia & Margaria, Valentina & Sacco, Adriano & Tommasi, Tonia & Pentassuglia, Simona & Ahmed, Daniyal & Mo, Roberto & Pirri, Candido Fabrizio & Quaglio, Marzia, 2018. "In situ continuous current production from marine floating microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 78-85.
    3. Antonopoulou, G. & Ntaikou, I. & Pastore, C. & di Bitonto, L. & Bebelis, S. & Lyberatos, G., 2019. "An overall perspective for the energetic valorization of household food waste using microbial fuel cell technology of its extract, coupled with anaerobic digestion of the solid residue," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 1064-1073.
    4. Eva Segura & Rafael Morales & José A. Somolinos, 2017. "Cost Assessment Methodology and Economic Viability of Tidal Energy Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-27, November.
    5. Gonzalez del Campo, A. & Lobato, J. & Cañizares, P. & Rodrigo, M.A. & Fernandez Morales, F.J., 2013. "Short-term effects of temperature and COD in a microbial fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 213-217.
    6. Wang, Yun-Hai & Wang, Bai-Shi & Pan, Bin & Chen, Qing-Yun & Yan, Wei, 2013. "Electricity production from a bio-electrochemical cell for silver recovery in alkaline media," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1337-1341.
    7. Mashkour, Mehrdad & Rahimnejad, Mostafa & Mashkour, Mahdi & Soavi, Francesca, 2021. "Increasing bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cells by a high-performance cellulose-based membrane electrode assembly," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    8. Li, Yan & Williams, Isaiah & Xu, Zhiheng & Li, Baikun & Li, Baitao, 2016. "Energy-positive nitrogen removal using the integrated short-cut nitrification and autotrophic denitrification microbial fuel cells (MFCs)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 352-360.
    9. Arul Devi Ettiyan & Tamilarasan Karuppiah & Shabarish Shankaran & Simona Di Fraia, 2024. "Green Energy Production and Integrated Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using MnCo 2 O 4 Electrode Performance in Microbial Fuel Cell," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, July.
    10. Bhim Sen Thapa & Soumya Pandit & Sanchita Bipin Patwardhan & Sakshi Tripathi & Abhilasha Singh Mathuriya & Piyush Kumar Gupta & Ram Bharosay Lal & Tanmoy Roy Tusher, 2022. "Application of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) for Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment: An Overview and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-19, July.
    11. Wang, Yong-Peng & Liu, Xian-Wei & Li, Wen-Wei & Li, Feng & Wang, Yun-Kun & Sheng, Guo-Ping & Zeng, Raymond J. & Yu, Han-Qing, 2012. "A microbial fuel cell–membrane bioreactor integrated system for cost-effective wastewater treatment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 230-235.
    12. Tan, Weng Cheong & Saw, Lip Huat & Thiam, Hui San & Xuan, Jin & Cai, Zuansi & Yew, Ming Chian, 2018. "Overview of porous media/metal foam application in fuel cells and solar power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 181-197.
    13. Liu, Panpan & Liang, Peng & Jiang, Yong & Hao, Wen & Miao, Bo & Wang, Donglin & Huang, Xia, 2018. "Stimulated electron transfer inside electroactive biofilm by magnetite for increased performance microbial fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 382-388.
    14. Fischer, Fabian & Sugnaux, Marc & Savy, Cyrille & Hugenin, Gérald, 2018. "Microbial fuel cell stack power to lithium battery stack: Pilot concept for scale up," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 1633-1644.
    15. de Ramón-Fernández, Alberto & Salar-García, M.J. & Ruiz-Fernández, Daniel & Greenman, J. & Ieropoulos, I., 2019. "Modelling the energy harvesting from ceramic-based microbial fuel cells by using a fuzzy logic approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    16. Wang, Chin-Tsan & Lee, Yao-Cheng & Ou, Yun-Ting & Yang, Yung-Chin & Chong, Wen-Tong & Sangeetha, Thangavel & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2017. "Exposing effect of comb-type cathode electrode on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 620-625.
    17. Zinadini, S. & Zinatizadeh, A.A. & Rahimi, M. & Vatanpour, V. & Rahimi, Z., 2017. "High power generation and COD removal in a microbial fuel cell operated by a novel sulfonated PES/PES blend proton exchange membrane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 427-438.
    18. Roman Lepikash & Daria Lavrova & Devard Stom & Valery Meshalkin & Olga Ponamoreva & Sergey Alferov, 2024. "State of the Art and Environmental Aspects of Plant Microbial Fuel Cells’ Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-24, February.
    19. Liu, Shu-Hui & Lai, Yu-Chuan & Lin, Chi-Wen, 2019. "Enhancement of power generation by microbial fuel cells in treating toluene-contaminated groundwater: Developments of composite anodes with various compositions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 922-929.
    20. Zeng, Qingyi & Bai, Jing & Li, Jinhua & Li, Linsen & Xia, Ligang & Zhou, Baoxue & Sun, Yugang, 2018. "Highly-stable and efficient photocatalytic fuel cell based on an epitaxial TiO2/WO3/W nanothorn photoanode and enhanced radical reactions for simultaneous electricity production and wastewater treatme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 127-137.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4238-:d:1152483. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.