Deciphering three-dimensional bioanode configuration for augmenting power generation and nitrogen removal in air–cathode microbial fuel cells. (July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Nuan; Luo, Huiqin; Xiong, Xia; Liu, Ming; Zhan, Guoqiang; Jin, Xiaojun; Tang, Wei; Chen, Ziai; Lei, Yunhui
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 379(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07
• Subjects: Microbial fuel cells -- Three-dimensional anode -- Engineering mesoscale structure -- Current generation -- Nutrients removal; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Two 3D carbon felt anodes with engineering mesoscale structure are fabricated. Power density and columbic efficiency are increased with the 3D anodes processing. The active 3D anode biofilm is consisted of a number of functional bacteria. The increased anode biomasses are achieved by using the 3D anodes. Abstract: In this study, the engineering-oriented three-dimensional (3D) bioanode concept was applied, demonstrating that spiral-stairs-like/rolled carbon felt (SCF/RCF) configurations achieved good performances in air–cathode microbial fuel cells (ACMFCs). With the 3D anodes, ACMFCs generated significantly higher power densities of 1535 mW/m 3 (SCF) and 1800 mW/m 3 (RCF), compared with that of a traditional flat carbon felt anode (FCF, 315 mW/m 3 ). The coulombic efficiency of 15.39 % at SCF anode and 14.34 % at RCF anode also is higher than the 7.93 % at FCF anode. The 3D anode ACMFCs exhibited favorable removal of chemical oxygen demand (96 % of SCF and RCF) and total nitrogen (97 % of SCF, 99 % of RCF). Further results show that three-dimensional anode structures could enrich more electrode surface biomass and diversify the biofilm microbial communities for promoting bioelectroactivity, denitrification, and nitrification. These results demonstrate that three-dimensional anodes with active biofilm is a promising strategy for creating scalable MFCs-based wastewater treatment system.