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Comparative Evaluation of Coated and Non-Coated Carbon Electrodes in a Microbial Fuel Cell for Treatment of Municipal Sludge

Author

Listed:
  • Arpita Nandy

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Mohita Sharma

    (Petroleum Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Senthil Velan Venkatesan

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Nicole Taylor

    (Petroleum Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Lisa Gieg

    (Petroleum Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Venkataraman Thangadurai

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

Abstract

This study aims to provide insight into the cost-effective catalyst on power generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) for treatment of municipal sludge. Power production from MFCs with carbon, Fe 2 O 3 , and Pt electrodes were compared. The MFC with no coating on carbon generated the least power density (6.72 mW·m −2 ) while the MFC with Fe 2 O 3 -coating on carbon anodes and carbon cathodes generated a 78% higher power output (30.18 mW·m −2 ). The third MFC with Fe 2 O 3 -coated carbon anodes and Pt on carbon as the cathode catalyst generated the highest power density (73.16 mW·m −2 ) at room temperature. Although the power generated with a conventional Pt catalyst was more than two-fold higher than Fe 2 O 3 , this study suggests that Fe 2 O 3 can be investigated further as an efficient, low-cost, and alternative catalyst of Pt, which can be optimized for improving performance of MFCs. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) results demonstrated reduced resistance of MFCs and better charge transfer between biofilm and electrodes containing coated anodes compared to non-coated anodes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze biofilm morphology and microbial community analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed the presence of known anaerobic fermenters and methanogens that may play a key role in energy generation in the MFCs.

Suggested Citation

  • Arpita Nandy & Mohita Sharma & Senthil Velan Venkatesan & Nicole Taylor & Lisa Gieg & Venkataraman Thangadurai, 2019. "Comparative Evaluation of Coated and Non-Coated Carbon Electrodes in a Microbial Fuel Cell for Treatment of Municipal Sludge," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:6:p:1034-:d:214584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bajracharya, Suman & Sharma, Mohita & Mohanakrishna, Gunda & Dominguez Benneton, Xochitl & Strik, David P.B.T.B. & Sarma, Priyangshu M. & Pant, Deepak, 2016. "An overview on emerging bioelectrochemical systems (BESs): Technology for sustainable electricity, waste remediation, resource recovery, chemical production and beyond," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 153-170.
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    1. Hongjun Ni & Kaixuan Wang & Shuaishuai Lv & Xingxing Wang & Lu Zhuo & Jiaqiao Zhang, 2020. "Effects of Concentration Variations on the Performance and Microbial Community in Microbial Fuel Cell Using Swine Wastewater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Roya Morovati & Mohammad Hoseini & Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor & Mansooreh Dehghani & Mohammad Ali Baghapour & Saeed Yousefinejad, 2022. "Removal of Diclofenac Sodium from Wastewater in Microbial Fuel Cell by Anode Modified with MnCo 2 O 4," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Hongjun Ni & Kaixuan Wang & Shuaishuai Lv & Xingxing Wang & Jiaqiao Zhang & Lu Zhuo & Fei Li, 2020. "Effects of Modified Anodes on the Performance and Microbial Community of Microbial Fuel Cells Using Swine Wastewater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, August.

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