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Accelerating Electricity Generation and Cr (VI) Removal Using Anatase–Biochar-Modified Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells

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  • Xinglan Cui

    (State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Comparikensive Utilization, Pangang Group Research Institute Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617000, China
    The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
    General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals, Beijing 100088, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center of Strategic Nonferrous Metals Green Manufacturing Technology, Beijing 100088, China)

  • Qingdong Miao

    (State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Comparikensive Utilization, Pangang Group Research Institute Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617000, China)

  • Xinyue Shi

    (The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center of Strategic Nonferrous Metals Green Manufacturing Technology, Beijing 100088, China
    GRIMAT Engineering Institute Corporation Limited, Beijing 100088, China)

  • Peng Zheng

    (The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
    General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals, Beijing 100088, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center of Strategic Nonferrous Metals Green Manufacturing Technology, Beijing 100088, China
    GRIMAT Engineering Institute Corporation Limited, Beijing 100088, China)

  • Hongxia Li

    (The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center of Strategic Nonferrous Metals Green Manufacturing Technology, Beijing 100088, China
    GRIMAT Engineering Institute Corporation Limited, Beijing 100088, China)

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) have considerable potential in the field of energy production and pollutant treatment. However, a low power generation performance remains a significant bottleneck for MFCs. Biochar and anatase are anticipated to emerge as novel cathode catalytic materials due to their distinctive physicochemical properties and functional group architectures. In this study, biochar was utilized as a support for an anatase cathode to investigate the enhancement of the MFC power generation performance and its environmental impact. The results of the SEM and XPS experiments showed that the biochar-supported anatase composites were successfully prepared. Using the new cathode catalyst, the maximum current density and power density of the MFC reached 164 mA/m 2 and 10.34 W/m 2 , respectively, which increased by 133% and 265% compared to a graphite cathode (70.51 mA/m 2 and 2.83 W/m 2 ). The degradation efficiency of Cr (VI) was 3.1 times higher in the biochar-supported anatase MFC than in the graphite cathode. The concentration and pH gradient experiments revealed that the degradation efficiency of Cr (VI) was 97.05% at an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, whereas a pH value of two resulted in a degradation efficiency of 94.275%. The biochar-supported anatase composites avoided anatase agglomeration and provided more active sites, thus accelerating the cathode electron transfer. In this study, natural anatase and biochar were ingeniously combined to fabricate a green and efficient electrode catalyst, offering a novel approach for the preparation of high-performance positive catalysts as well as a sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly method for Cr (VI) removal in aqueous solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinglan Cui & Qingdong Miao & Xinyue Shi & Peng Zheng & Hongxia Li, 2023. "Accelerating Electricity Generation and Cr (VI) Removal Using Anatase–Biochar-Modified Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12276-:d:1215278
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Zhikun & Zhu, Zongyuan & Shen, Boxiong & Liu, Lina, 2019. "Insights into biochar and hydrochar production and applications: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 581-598.
    2. Hui Wang & Yu Li & Yue Mi & Dongqi Wang & Zhe Wang & Haiyu Meng & Chunbo Jiang & Wen Dong & Jiake Li & Huaien Li, 2023. "Cu(II) and Cr(VI) Removal in Tandem with Electricity Generation via Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
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