Cathode modification with peptide nanotubes (PNTs) incorporating redox mediators for azo dyes decolorization enhancement in microbial fuel cells. (23rd March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Hengduo; Quan, Xiangchun; Xiao, Zhutian; Chen, Liang
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 12(2017)
• Page Start: 8207
• Page End: 8215
• Publication Date: 2017-03-23
• Subjects: Azo dye -- Peptide nanotubes -- Redox mediators -- Decolorization -- Microbial fuel cell; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.01.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: To enhance azo dye reduction in cathode of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and power generation, a novel cathode modification method was developed on carbon paper (CP) through immobilization of redox mediators (RMs) with self-assembled peptide nanotubes (PNTs) as the carrier. Results showed that the optimum peptide concentration for PNT self-assembly on electrode and Orange II decolorization in MFCs was 2 mg mL −1 . The PNT/RMs/CP electrodes exhibited higher electrocatalytic activities than PNT or RM solely modified electrodes and raw carbon paper electrode. MFCs loaded with the riboflavin (RF)/PNT modified cathode (PNT/RF/CP) or anthraquinone-2, 6-disulfonate (AQDS)/PNT modified cathode (PNT/AQDS/CP) showed an enhanced decolorization rate to Orange II compared to that with the control electrode, with the reduction kinetic constants increased by 1.3 and 1.2 folds, respectively. Furthermore, the MFCs with the PNT/AQDS/CP cathode and PNT/RF/CP cathode generated a higher maximum power density of 55.5 mW m −2 and 72.6 mW m −2, respectively, compared to the control (15.5 mW m −2 ). The PNT/RMs modification could reduce cathode total internal resistance and accelerate electron transfer from electrodes to dyes, which may result in the enhanced performance of MFCs. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cathodes were modified by peptide nanotube containing redox mediators (PNT/RMs/CP). PNT/RMs modification improved electrocatalytic activity of cathode electrodes. The MFCs using PNT/RMs/CP cathodes promoted the Orange II decolorization rate. The MFCs with PNT/RMs/CP cathodes generated enhanced power densities than control.