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Microbial Fuel Cell Using a Novel Ionic-Liquid-Type Membrane-Cathode Assembly with Heterotrophic Anodic Denitrification for Slurry Treatment

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  • Adrián Hernández-Fernández

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia (UMU), Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • Eduardo Iniesta-López

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia (UMU), Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • Yolanda Garrido

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia (UMU), Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • Ioannis A. Ieropoulos

    (Civil, Maritime & Environmental Engineering Department, University of Southampton, Bolderwood Campus, Southampton SO16 7QF, UK)

  • Francisco J. Hernández-Fernández

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia (UMU), Campus de Espinardo, E-30100 Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

In this paper, microbial fuel cell technology with heterotrophic anodic denitrification, based on a new membrane-cathode assembly, was tested for slurry treatment and bioenergy production. Slurry is used due to its high chemical oxygen demand and a high content of nutrient compounds of nitrogen which can contaminate soil and water. The new membrane-cathode assembly systems were based on different ammonium and phosphonium cations combined with chloride, bistriflimide, phosphate, and phosphinate anions and a non-noble catalyst composed of copper and cobalt mixed-valence oxides. The influence of ionic liquids on the catalytic membrane was studied. The best membrane-cathode assembly was based on the ionic liquid catalyst [MTOA + ][Cl − ]-CoCu which achieved 65% of the energy reached with the Pt-Nafion ® system. The [MTOA + ][Cl − ]-CoCu system improved the water purification parameter, reducing the COD by up to 35%, the concentration of nitrates by up to 26%, and the organic nitrogen by up to 70% during the experiments. This novel membrane-cathode system allows for easier manufacturing, lower costs, and simpler catalysts than conventionally used in microbial fuel cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrián Hernández-Fernández & Eduardo Iniesta-López & Yolanda Garrido & Ioannis A. Ieropoulos & Francisco J. Hernández-Fernández, 2023. "Microbial Fuel Cell Using a Novel Ionic-Liquid-Type Membrane-Cathode Assembly with Heterotrophic Anodic Denitrification for Slurry Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14817-:d:1258624
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salma Elhenawy & Majeda Khraisheh & Fares AlMomani & Mohammad Al-Ghouti & Mohammad K. Hassan, 2022. "From Waste to Watts: Updates on Key Applications of Microbial Fuel Cells in Wastewater Treatment and Energy Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, January.
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    4. Aritro Banerjee & Rajnish Kaur Calay & Fasil Ejigu Eregno, 2022. "Role and Important Properties of a Membrane with Its Recent Advancement in a Microbial Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
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