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Activated Carbon Electrodes for Bioenergy Production in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Synthetic Wastewater as Substrate

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  • Rickelmi Agüero-Quiñones

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Trujillo 13007, Peru)

  • Zairi Ávila-Sánchez

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Trujillo 13007, Peru)

  • Segundo Rojas-Flores

    (Escuela de Ingeniería Mecánica Eléctrica, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo 14000, Peru)

  • Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Renny Nazario-Naveda

    (Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Privada del Norte, Trujillo 13007, Peru)

  • Walter Rojas-Villacorta

    (Programa de Investigación Formativa e Integridad Científica, Universidad César Vallejo, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

Abstract

The growing global energy demand drives the need to develop new clean energy technologies. In this context, microbial fuel cells (MFC) are one of the emerging technologies with great potential for eco-friendly energy generation; however, the correct choice of electrode material is a significant limitation in the optimal configuration of MFCs. Therefore, this research evaluated the efficiency of activated carbon (AC) anode electrodes for bioenergy production in MFC using synthetic wastewater as a substrate. Peak values of voltage (1120 ± 0.050 mV), current (4.64 ± 0.040 mA), power density (208.14 ± 17.15 mW/cm 2 ), and current density (5.03 A/cm 2 ) were generated, and the R int obtained was 214.52 ± 5.22 Ω. The substrate was operated at pH values from 5.31 to 7.66, maximum ORP values (858 mV) were reached, and turbidity was reduced to 25.11 NTU. The SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analyses allowed us to observe the morphology and composition of the AC electrodes, revealing a predominance of O, C, Si, Al, Fe, K, and Ca. It is concluded that the AC electrodes have the potential to produce bioenergy at a laboratory by means of MFC.

Suggested Citation

  • Rickelmi Agüero-Quiñones & Zairi Ávila-Sánchez & Segundo Rojas-Flores & Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos & Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega & Renny Nazario-Naveda & Walter Rojas-Villacorta, 2023. "Activated Carbon Electrodes for Bioenergy Production in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Synthetic Wastewater as Substrate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13767-:d:1240585
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Slate, Anthony J. & Whitehead, Kathryn A. & Brownson, Dale A.C. & Banks, Craig E., 2019. "Microbial fuel cells: An overview of current technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 60-81.
    2. Segundo Rojas-Flores & Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos & Renny Nazario-Naveda & Moisés Gallozzo-Cardenas & Félix Diaz & Daniel Delfin-Narciso & Walter Rojas-Villacorta, 2023. "Use of Tangerine Waste as Fuel for the Generation of Electric Current," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Kamali, Mohammadreza & Guo, Yutong & Aminabhavi, Tejraj M. & Abbassi, Rouzbeh & Dewil, Raf & Appels, Lise, 2023. "Pathway towards the commercialization of sustainable microbial fuel cell-based wastewater treatment technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Du, Haixia & Shao, Zongping, 2022. "Synergistic effects between solid potato waste and waste activated sludge for waste-to-power conversion in microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
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    1. Rojas-Flores Segundo & De La Cruz-Noriega Magaly & Cabanillas-Chirinos Luis & Nélida Milly Otiniano & Nancy Soto-Deza & Nicole Terrones-Rodriguez & De La Cruz-Cerquin Mayra, 2024. "Obtaining Sustainable Electrical Energy from Pepper Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-12, April.

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