Nanoporous gold electrode prepared from gold compact disk as the anode for the microbial fuel cell

The electrodes (anode and cathode) have an important role in the efficiency of a microbial fuel cell (MFC), as they can determine the rate of charge transfer in an electrochemical process. In this study, nanoporous gold electrode, prepared from commercially available gold-made compact disk, is utilized as the anode in a two-chamber MFC. The performance of nanoporous gold electrode in the MFC is compared with that of gold film, carbon felt and acid-heat-treated carbon felt electrodes which are usually employed as the anode in the MFCs. Electrochemical surface area of nanoporous gold electrode exhibits a 7.96-fold increase rather than gold film electrode. Scanning electron microscopy analysis also indicates the homogeneous biofilm is formed on the surface of nanoporous gold electrode, while the biofilm formed at the surface of acid-heat-treated carbon felt electrode shows rough structure. Electrochemical studies show although modifications applied on carbon felt electrodes improve its performance, nanoporous gold electrode, due to its structure and better electrochemical properties, acts more efficiently as the MFC’s anode. The maximum power density produced by nanoporous gold anode is 4.71 mW m^?2 at current density of 16.00 mA m^?2, while this value for acid-heat-treated carbon felt anode is 3.551 mW m^?2 at current density of 9.58 mA m^?2.     

Construction and Operation of Microbial Fuel Cell with Chlorella vulgaris Biocathode for Electricity Generation

In this study, a modified microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a tubular photobioreactor (PHB) configuration as a cathode compartment was constructed by introducing Chlorella vulgaris to the cathode chamber used to generate oxygen in situ. Two types of cathode materials and light/dark cycles were used to test the effect on MFC with algae biocathode. Results showed that the use of algae is an effective approach because these organisms can act as efficient in situ oxygenators, thereby facilitating the cathodic reaction. Dissolved oxygen and voltage output displayed a clear light positive response and were drastically enhanced compared with the abiotic cathode. In particular, carbon paper-coated Pt used as a cathode electrode increased voltage output at a higher extent than carbon felt used as an electrode. The maximum power density of 24.4 mW/m² was obtained from the MFC with algae biocathode which utilized the carbon paper-coated Pt as the cathode electrode under intermittent illumination. This density was 2.8 times higher than that of the abiotic cathode. Continuous illumination shortened the algal lifetime. These results demonstrated that intermittent illumination and cathode material-coated catalyst are beneficial to a more efficient and prolonged operation of MFC with C. vulgaris biocathode.     

Astaxanthinogenesis in the yeastPhaffia rhodozyma

Astaxanthin is a diketo-dihydroxy-carotenoid produced byPhaffia rhodozyma, a basidiomicetous yeast. A low-cost fermentation medium consisting of raw sugarcane juice and urea was developed to exploit the active sucrolytic/urelolytic enzyme apparatus inherent to the yeast. As compared to the beneficial effect of 0.1 g% urea, a ready nitrogen source, mild phosphoric pre inversion of juice sucrose to glucose and fructose, promptly fermentable carbon sources, resulted in smaller benefits. Corn steep liquor (CSL) was found to be a valuable supplement for both yeast biomass yield (9.2 g dry cells/L) and astaxanthin production (1.3 mg/g cells). Distillery effluent (vinace), despite only a slightly positive effect on yeast growth, allowed for the highest pigment productivity (1.9 mg/g cells). Trace amounts of Ni² (1 mg/L, as a cofactor for urease) resulted in controversial effects, namely, biomass decrease and astaxanthin increase, with no effect on the release (and uptake) of ammonium ion from urea. Since the synthesized astaxanthin is associated with the yeast cell and the pigment requires facilitated release for aquaculture uses (farmed fish meat staining), an investigation of the yeast cell wall was undertaken using detergent-treated cells. The composition of the rigid yeast envelope was found to be heterogeneous. Its partial acid or enzymatic depolymerization revealed glucose and xylose as common monomeric units of the cell-wall glycopolymers. Yeast cell-wall partial depolymerization with appropriate hydrolases may improve the pigment bioavailability for captive aquatic species and poultry.

     

Development of a Ca2+‐Sensitive Electrostatic Self‐Assembly Films for the Fabrication of Reproducible Immunosensor

Abstract

A novel strategy for fabricating reproducible immunosensor has been developed by employing the merits of Ca²⁺‐induced cross‐linkage of sodium alginate and negative‐carboxyl groups of alginate. The alginate was used to modify the gold electrode and render the gold electrode negative charge to immobilize antibodies via electrostatic interaction between carboxyl groups on alginate and amino groups on antibodies to realize the fabrication of immunosensor in 0.01 mol/l pH 7.5 acetic‐acetate buffer solution. The Ca²⁺‐induced cross‐linkage of alginate on the immnosensor can release antibodies from electrode and regenerate one fresh alginate‐modified electrode for the fabrication of new immunosensor. The feasibility of the proposed strategy and qualities of the fabricated immunosensor was evaluated by being applied to a competitive transferrin‐transferrin antiserum immunoassay system.     

Facile Fabrication of Graphene‐Containing Foam as a High‐Performance Anode for Microbial Fuel Cells

Facile fabrication of novel three‐dimensional anode materials to increase the bacterial loading capacity and improve substrate transport in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is of great interest and importance. Herein, a novel graphene‐containing foam (GCF) was fabricated easily by freeze‐drying and pyrolysis of a graphene oxide–agarose gel. Owing to the involvement of graphene and stainless‐steel mesh in the GCF, the GCF shows high electrical conductivity, enabling the GCF to be a conductive electrode for MFC applications. With the aid of agarose, the GCF electrode possesses a supermacroporous structure with pore sizes ranging from 100–200 μm and a high surface area, which greatly increase the bacterial loading capacity. Cell viability measurements indicate that the GCF possesses excellent biocompatibility. The MFC, equipped with a 0.4 mm‐thick GCF anode, shows a maximum area power density of 786 mW m^?2, which is 4.1 times that of a MFC equipped with a commercial carbon cloth anode. The simple fabrication route in combination with the outstanding electrochemical performance of the GCF indicates a promising anode for MFC applications.     

Electroactive porous films of myoglobin within calcium alginate

In this work, a novel two-step construction strategy for protein assembly films was proposed. The first step was the preparation of porous calcium alginate (CA) films by spraying calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution over the mixture surface of sodium alginate and polyethylene glycol on various solid substrates. The second step involved the cast of myoglobin (Mb) onto the porous CA films and then formed the electroactive porous Mb-CA films. The nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscope, alternating current impendence and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the porous films. Fully hydrated porous CA films had nearly 90 wt% water contents and UV–vis showed that Mb in the porous films retained its near native conformation at medium pH. The stable films modified on glassy carbon electrode demonstrated good electroactivity in protein-free buffer, which was originated from protein heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. The electrochemical parameters such as apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) and formal potential (E ^o′) were estimated by fitting the data of square-wave voltammetry with nonlinear regression analysis. It was observed that the formal potential of the Mb Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple in porous CA films shifted linearly between pH 4.0 and 11.0 with a slope of −52.7 mV/pH, suggesting that one proton transfer was coupled to each electron transfer in the electrochemical reaction. The porous Mb-CA films showed the electrocatalytic activity toward dioxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrite with significant decreases in the electrode potential required, and exhibited good operational and storage stability, reproducibility and fast response time for H₂O₂ detection. It is showing the possible future application of the films for biosensors and biocatalysis.     

Molecular Imprinted Polymers Prepared by Electropolymerization of Ni-(Protoporphyrin IX)

Abstract

The features of combining a chemically modified electrode (CME) with an artificial receptor system, prepared by imprinting electropolymerized [Ni

(Protoporphyrin IX) dimethyl ester] [Ni-(PPIX)] in the presence of nitrobenzene, were studied. The responses of the modified glassy carbon electrode towards template molecules were analyzed by cycling over the nitrobenzene reduction wave. The specific signal was much higher than the non-specific one which demonstrates the selectivity of such a system.

This approach has potential for preparation of selective polymeric films on the surface of different transducers.

     

Carbon Film Electrodes from the Pyrolysis of Two Aromatic Anhydrides

Abstract

Two new carbon film electrodes have been prepared from the low pressure pyrolysis of aromatic anhydrides onto quartz substrates. The anhydrides employed are safer and more volatile than those previously used for preparing carbon film electrodes. The voltammetric response of the film electrodes both in millimolar dopamine and in background electrolyte was studied. The differential pulse voltammetry response with a mixture of dopamine, homovanillic acid and ascorbic acid was studied. Also, the application of the electrode as an optically transparent carbon electrode was examined. The film electrodes had lower background current than glassy carbon, but the reversibility with dopamine was not ideal. These two new films appear to have utility similar to previously studied films, with the advantage of rapid and safe production.     

Study of BOD Microbial Sensors for Waste Water Treatment Control

A microbial sensor consisting of immobilized yeast or bacterial cells and an oxygen electrode was developed for the estimation of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). A flow-through system was used, and the response time was within 20 min. A linear relationship was observed between the relative current decrease and the BOD of the sample solution within the range of 1-45 mg/L. The storage lifetime was > 1 yr. The reproducibility was quite good, within 6% fsd at a concentration of 20 mg/L BOD. Satisfactory results were attained when the biosensor was applied to the determination of BOD in brewery-plant and glutamate-plant wastewater and in a river.

     

High‐efficiency Nitric Acid‐PPy/AQDS Coupling Treated Bioanodes Based Microbial Fuel Cell

The properties of anode material are crucial for high performances in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, we report a biocompatible, conductive, and electron transfer efficient cooperative processing anode, which is fabricated by electrodepositing polypyrrole/anthraquinone‐2, 6‐disulphonic disodium salt (PPy/AQDS) onto nitric acid‐soaked carbon felt. Results showed that the cooperative processing anode outperformed the pristine one in biomass, electrical conductivity, and exchange current density with better performance between 2.4 and 3.3 times. The maximum power density (1060.3 mW m⁻²) of the MFC equipped with the properties hybridized anode delivered a 2.2‐fold increase over that of the control and thus has great potential to be used as an anode for high‐power MFC. Further investigation revealed that the contributions of biocompatibility (BCB), electrical conductivity (EC), and electron transfer efficiency (ETE) to the performance of carbon felt anodes appeared as cumulative effect rather than summing effect. We propose combined treatment of BCB with EC and ETE to form a properties‐hybridized anode based on thoroughly analyzing the feasibility and effectiveness, and discussed future efforts to be made for realizing more extraordinary high‐performance cooperative processing anodes. This work may also provide a novel approach for the development of other types of anode for high‐performance MFC through combined treating the BCB with EC and ETE simultaneously.     

Treated carbon felt as electrode material in vanadium redox flow batteries: a study of the use of carbon nanotubes as electrocatalyst

Electrodes for large-scale usage in vanadium redox flow battery are usually fabricated without any electrocatalyst due to the lack of good, viable options. The best performance is achieved of carbon-based materials. Recently, some researchers have been reported regarding the use of carbon nanotube as the electrocatalyst in the vanadium redox flow batteries. However, these researches have been carried out without making any comparison between the performance of the traditional method and the carbon nanotube electrocatalyst. In the present study, the loading of multi-walled carbon nanotube, the acid–heat treatment, and their combination were used to modify the carbon felt electrode to be applied in the vanadium redox flow battery. The obtained results showed better electrochemical properties for acid–heat-treated carbon felt electrode compared to the carbon nanotube-loaded one. The best electrode was obtained for using in a vanadium redox flow battery in terms of electrochemical and surface properties after applying a combination of two modification strategies. Applying this proposed method in modification of the carbon felt electrode increased its hydrophilicity more than 17 times and its capability to absorb VOSO₄ solution more than eight times. Also, the charge transfer resistance of a modified electrode, by the combination of the carbon nanotube and the acid–heat treatment, significantly decreased in both positive and negative poles of vanadium redox flow battery. Consequently, the exchange current density enhanced more than 100- and 175-fold in positive and negative poles, respectively, in comparison with carbon felt electrode.     

FeFe]-hydrogenase-catalyzed H2 production in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell

The Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe]-hydrogenase HydA has been investigated as a hydrogen production catalyst in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to pyrolytic graphite edge and carbon felt electrodes. Cyclic voltammograms of the immobilized hydrogenase films reveal cathodic proton reduction and anodic hydrogen oxidation, with a catalytic bias toward hydrogen evolution. When corrected for the electrochemically active surface area, the cathodic current densities are similar for both carbon electrodes, and approximately 40% of those obtained with a platinum electrode. The high surface area carbon felt/hydrogenase electrode was subsequently used as the cathode in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. Under illumination, this device is able to oxidize a biofuel substrate and reduce protons to hydrogen. Similar photocurrents and hydrogen production rates were observed in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes.     

Design of Clayware Separator-Electrode Assembly for Treatment of Wastewater in Microbial Fuel Cells

Performance of six different microbial fuel cells (MFCs) made from baked clayware, having 450 ml effective anodic chamber volume, was evaluated, with different configurations of separator electrode assemblies, to study the feasibility of bioelectricity generation and high-strength wastewater treatment in a single-chambered mediator-less air-cathode MFC. Superior performance of an air-cathode MFC (ACMFC) with carbon coating on both sides of the separator was observed over an aqueous cathode MFC, resulting in a maximum volumetric power of 4.38 W m^?3 and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of more than 90 % in a batch cycle of 4 days. Hydrophilic polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was successfully used as a binder. The problem of salt deposition and fouling of cathode could be minimized by using a sock net current collector, replacing the usual stainless steel wire. However, electrolyte loss due to evaporation is a problem that needs to be resolved for better performance of an ACMFC.     

The Influence of Active Carbon Supports Toward the Electrocatalytic Behavior of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles for the Extended Energy Generation of Mediatorless Microbial Fuel Cells

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles anchored over the different active carbon supports were developed by a simple wet solution method. The developed nanostructures were magnetically self-assembled over the electrode surface and exploited as anode catalysts in mediatorless microbial fuel cells (MFC). The morphological characterizations revealed that 3～8-nm-sized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were homogeneously anchored over the different carbon matrices and the obtained diffraction patterns ensured the cubic inverse spinel structure of prepared Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The morphology, size, and structure of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles anchored over the different active carbon supports were maintained identical, and the influence of active carbon support toward the effectual MFC performances was evaluated under various electrochemical regimes and conditions by using Escherichia coli as a catalytic microorganism. The electrochemical characterizations revealed that carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibited lower charge transfer resistance and high coulombic efficiency in comparison with the graphene and graphite nanofiber-supported composites. Among the studied anode catalysts, Fe₃O₄/CNT composite exhibited the maximum MFC power density of 865 mW m^?2 associated with excellent durability performances, owing to the specific interaction exerted between the microorganisms and the Fe₃O₄/CNT composite. Thus, the binder-free electrode modification process, mediatorless environment, rapid electron transfer kinetics, high power generation, and long durability performances achieved for the developed system paved futuristic dimensions for the high performance MFCs.     

Microbial Fuel Cells: The Effects of Configurations,Electrolyte Solutions,and Electrode Materials on Power Generation

This objective of this study is to conduct a systematic investigation of the effects of configurations, electrolyte solutions, and electrode materials on the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFC). A comparison of voltage generation, power density, and acclimation period of electrogenic bacteria was performed for a variety of MFCs. In terms of MFC configuration, membrane-less two-chamber MFCs (ML-2CMFC) had lower internal resistance, shorter acclimation period, and higher voltage generation than the conventional two-chamber MFCs (2CMFC). In terms of anode solutions (as electron donors), the two-chamber MFCs fed with anaerobic treated wastewater (AF-2CMFCs) had the power density 19 times as the two-chamber MFCs fed with acetate (NO₃ ⁻2CMFCs). In terms of cathode solutions (as electron acceptors), AF-2CMFCs with ferricyanide had higher voltage generation than that of ML-2CMFCs with nitrate (NO₃ ⁻ML-2CMFCs). In terms of electrode materials, ML-2CMFCs with granular-activated carbon as the electrode (GAC-ML-2CMFCs) had a power density 2.5 times as ML-2CMFCs with carbon cloth as the electrode. GAC-ML-2CMFCs had the highest columbic efficiency and power output among all the MFCs tested, indicating that the high surface area of GAC facilitate the biofilm formation, accelerate the degradation of organic substrates, and improve power generation.     

生物膜电极在以苯酚为燃料的微生物燃料电池中的应用

以苯酚为燃料, 生物膜电极为负极, Ti/SnO₂-Sb₂O₅/PbO₂电极为正极, 构建了双室微生物燃料电池. 利用微电流驯化法和自然驯化法分别制备了生物膜电极, 研究了微生物的挂膜方法、 挂膜时间和负极基底材料种类对微生物燃料电池产电能力的影响. 结果表明, 微电流驯化法优于自然驯化法, 微电流驯化法制备的生物膜电极更利于电池的产电; 微生物的挂膜时间为8 d时, 电池的产电能力最高, 其最大输出功率密度达到39 mW/m²; 不同基底材料生物膜电极所组建的微生物燃料电池产电能力高低顺序为碳毡>石墨>钛网>泡沫钛.     

Ammonia treatment of carbon cloth anodes to enhance power generation of microbial fuel cells

Changes in microbial fuel cell (MFC) architecture, materials, and solution chemistry can be used to increase power generation by microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It is shown here that using a phosphate buffer to increase solution conductivity, and ammonia gas treatment of a carbon cloth anode substantially increased the surface charge of the electrode (from 0.38 to 3.99 meq m⁻²), and improved MFC performance. Power increased to 1640 mW m⁻² (96 W m⁻³) using a phosphate buffer, and further to 1970 mW m⁻² (115 W m⁻³) using an ammonia-treated electrode. The combined effects of these two treatments boosted power production by 48% compared to previous results using this air-cathode MFC. In addition, the start up time of an MFC was reduced by 50%.     

基于单纯型的非线性拟合求解多孔碳毡电极库仑检测器的质量转移系数

基于单纯型的非线性拟合求解多孔碳毡电极库仑检测器的质量转移系数陈国南（福州大学化学系,福州,３５０００２）关键词多孔碳毡电极;质量转移系数;非线性拟合在流动注射电化学检测中库仑检测器已经得到广泛的应用［１,２］。以多孔材料作为库仑检测器的工作电极,具...     

Different strategies for obtaining high opacity films of MFC with TiO2 pigments

The present study examines the production and characterization of opaque solid films made with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) suspension and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. Three different strategies were investigated: a blend of (1) MFC and TiO₂ (2) a premix in which TiO₂ particles are used to favor the fibrillation step of MFC and (3) a sol–gel strategy in which TiO₂ particles were directly generated onto the surface of MFC. The different process parameters have been optimized both for the production of MFC and the sol–gel reaction. Gel suspensions containing different ratios of TiO₂ were morphologically and chemically characterized. In order to characterize the size and the nature of the particles, diffraction laser scattering, atomic force microscopy were used while the thermo gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the degradation of MFC for all the three strategies. To highlight the level of dispersion of TiO₂ within the MFC network, scanning electron microscopy in BSE mode has been employed. Finally, the transparence and the mechanical properties of solid films were measured by UV spectrophotometry and tensile tests, respectively. Very good TiO₂ dispersion and high opacity MFC films have been achieved with a very low amount of TiO₂. Thus, the best strategy that takes into account the easiest process for making the hybrids and leading to the high level of opacity with the lowest ratio of TiO₂ is the premix strategy.     

Simultaneous processes of electricity generation and p-nitrophenol degradation in a microbial fuel cell

This study initially demonstrates that the electricity generated by a microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be used to in situ generate H₂O₂ at a carbon felt cathode. In the presence of scrap iron, H₂O₂ further reacts with Fe²⁺ to produce hydroxyl radicals. Attributed to the oxidation of H₂O₂ and hydroxyl radicals, and the oxidation–reduction of scrap iron, p-nitrophenol was significantly removed in the cathode chamber of the MFC. The p-nitrophenol was completely degraded after 12 h, and about 85% of TOC was removed after 96 h. Simultaneously, a maximum power density (143 mW m^?2) was generated by the MFC. It is concluded that a MFC not only can generate electricity and degrade biodegradable compounds, but also remove bio-refractory pollutants.