Effect of zeolite-coated anode on the performance of microbial fuel cells

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For a microbial fuel cell (MFC), the anode material plays a key part in power generation. Modification of conventional carbon-based anode materials is an effective strategy to improve MFC performance. RESULTS: Two different zeolites, namely, mobil catalytic materials number 41 (MCM-41) and NaX, were used to modify graphite felt anodes and compared with unmodified anodes in dual-chamber MFCs. Fourier transform infrared analysis verified that MCM-41 and NaX zeolites were successfully coated onto the bare graphite felt surface. Results showed that NaX zeolite is a favorable, affordable material for anode modification of MFCs. This zeolite improved MFC performance considerably. Its maximum power density (215.3 ± 6.4 mW m −2 ) and CE value (50.0% ± 2.0%) were 152.1% and 36.2% higher than those of the unmodified anode, respectively. According to scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and the amount of anode biomass, the superhydrophilicity of the NaX zeolite-modified anode was a vital reason for thick anode biofilm formation and accelerated anodic bio-electrochemical reactions. The improved specific surface area of the anode and properties of the microporous NaX zeolite were responsible for the enhancement of MFC performance. CONCLUSIONS: Graphite felt anode modified by NaX zeolite resulted in improved power generation by a MFC.

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

“…It was reported that carbon cloth anode modified by nanoflaky nickel oxide delivered a maximum power density of 1024 mW m −2 , which was more than three‐fold higher than that of the plain anode . The recent proposed anode coated with zeolite could improve maximum power density and columbic efficiency value by 152.1 % and 36.2 % respectively , and there also have many interesting study in iproving the anode performance, including bioanode containing G. oxydans cells with ORP and K 3 Fe(CN) 6 , being firstly used in a MFC system . Besides, nanomaterials, polymers or electron redox mediators were anchored onto electrode surface to enable more conductive and electron transfer efficient anodes , .…”

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“…stud-ied the performance of aN aX zeolite modified graphite felt anode in ad ual-chamber MFC. [33] After 20 days of operation, they found more bacteria on the modified anode than on the bare graphite felt anode. They reasoned that the bacteria accumulationw as caused by absorption of glucosem olecules on NaX zeolite.T he glucosea bsorption, as demonstrated by their control experiments,w as duet ot he hydrophilicity of NaX zeolite.…”

“…Generally,a nodesw ith high surface roughnessfavor bacterial adsorption. [33] To gain sufficient space for bacteria, it would be rational to first select unmodified anodesw ith high effective surface. Since the initial use of graphite felt as the anode material, efforts have been devoted to increasing the surface area of carbon-based anodes.…”

Low-Cost Electrode Modification to Upgrade the Bioelectrocatalytic Oxidation of Tannery Wastewater Using Acclimated Activated Sludge

“…Then, the carbon felt (2 cm 2 ) was placed in the solution and sonicated for 30 min. The modified carbon felt was finally dried at 100 • C [12].…”