Potential of Biochar-Anode in a Ceramic-Separator Microbial Fuel Cell (CMFC) with a Laccase-Based Air Cathode

Abstract

A cost-effective biochar derived from rubber tree sawdust was prepared by low-temperature pyrolysis at 500ºC for 2 h. The biochar was placed as an anode electrode in the anode chamber of the novel model ceramic-separator microbial fuel cell (CMFC) with a laccase-based air cathode. The rubber wastewater (with 500 mg/L sulfate and 1000 mg/L COD) was used as an anolyte. Maximal volumetric power density (PD) of 3.26±0.08 µW/m 3 , maximal volumetric current density of 3.20±0.07 mA/m 3 , and system internal resistance of 1002 Ω were obtained. The post-treatment results showed sulfate removal and COD removal efficiencies of 88.26±1.29% and 89.77±0.45%, respectively. Our work provided a novel model of a low-cost and economically friendly MFC system. Moreover, this work demonstrated a potential route based on sustainable and economical biochar as a bio-anode for wastewater treatment in an MFC.

Advances in Anode Materials for Microbial Fuel Cells

“…As a renewable environmental protection material with a special structure, wood is considered an important carbon library. [ 172,202 ] Biomass carbon (such as bamboo, [ 203 ] rubber tree sawdust, [ 204 ] and mango wood, [ 205 ] etc.) from wood was also widely used as anode material.…”

Coupling Microbial Fuel Cell and Hydroponic System for Electricity Generation, Organic Removal, and Nutrient Recovery via Plant Production from Wastewater

“…As a means of physical separation of the anode and cathode in the MFC, ceramic materials have been used as a suitable replacement for expensive synthetic membranes [60][61][62]. The ceramic separator serves as a partition between the anode and cathode and also between the MFC and the hydroponics.…”

Modified Water Hyacinth Biochar as a Low-Cost Supercapacitor Electrode for Electricity Generation From Pharmaceutical Wastewater

“…The CMFC was constructed according to the modified model of Chaijak et al [21], the 50 m 2 of WHB (320 m 2 /g of specific surface area) was used as an anodic electrode. while the 50 m 2 activated carbon granule (1,000 m 2 /g of specific surface area) was used as a positive control.…”