Nickel ferrite/MXene-coated carbon felt anodes for enhanced microbial fuel cell performance. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tahir, Khurram; Miran, Waheed; Jang, Jiseon; Maile, Nagesh; Shahzad, Asif; Moztahida, Mokrema; Ghani, Ahsan Adul; Kim, Bolam; Jeon, Hyeji; Lim, Seong-Rin; Lee, Dae Sung
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 268(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: MXene -- Nickel ferrite -- Microbial fuel cell -- Power density -- Anode modification; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128784
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the modification of electrode materials for enhancing the power generation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has attracted considerable attention. In this study, a conventional carbon felt (CF) electrode was modified by NiFe2 O4 (NiFe2 O4 @CF), MXene (MXene@CF), and NiFe2 O4 -MXene (NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF) using facile dip-and-dry and hydrothermal methods. In these modified CF electrodes, the electrochemical performance considerably improved, while the highest power density (1385 mW/m 2 ), which was 5.6, 2.8, and 1.4 times higher than those of CF, NiFe2 O4 @CF, and MXene@CF anodes, respectively, was achieved using NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry results confirmed the superior bioelectrochemical activity of a NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anode in a MFC. The improved performance could be attributed to the low charge transfer resistance, high conductivity and number of catalytically active sites of the NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anode. Microbial community analysis demonstrated the relative abundance of electroactive bacteria on a NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anodic biofilm rather than CF, MXene@CF, and NiFe2 O4 @CF anodes. Therefore, these results suggest that combining the favorable properties of composite materials such as NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anodes can open up new directions for fabricating novel electrodes for renewable energy-related applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anode was fabricated using facile dip-and-dry and hydrothermal methods. In MFCs, the synthesized anodes considerably improved both electrochemical activity and cell performance. A significant increase in power density was observed for NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF. More number of electroactive microorganisms were enriched on the surface of the NiFe2 O4 -MXene@CF anode.