Accelerating Electricity Generation and Cr (VI) Removal Using Anatase–Biochar-Modified Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells

Xinglan Cui (), Qingdong Miao, Xinyue Shi, Peng Zheng and Hongxia Li
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Xinglan Cui: State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Comparikensive Utilization, Pangang Group Research Institute Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617000, China
Qingdong Miao: State Key Laboratory of Vanadium and Titanium Comparikensive Utilization, Pangang Group Research Institute Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617000, China
Xinyue Shi: The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
Peng Zheng: The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China
Hongxia Li: The National Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Metallurgy in Producing Premium Non-Ferrous Metals, GRINM Resources and Environmental Technology Corporation Limited, Beijing 101407, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFC) have considerable potential in the field of energy production and pollutant treatment. However, a low power generation performance remains a significant bottleneck for MFCs. Biochar and anatase are anticipated to emerge as novel cathode catalytic materials due to their distinctive physicochemical properties and functional group architectures. In this study, biochar was utilized as a support for an anatase cathode to investigate the enhancement of the MFC power generation performance and its environmental impact. The results of the SEM and XPS experiments showed that the biochar-supported anatase composites were successfully prepared. Using the new cathode catalyst, the maximum current density and power density of the MFC reached 164 mA/m 2 and 10.34 W/m 2 , respectively, which increased by 133% and 265% compared to a graphite cathode (70.51 mA/m 2 and 2.83 W/m 2 ). The degradation efficiency of Cr (VI) was 3.1 times higher in the biochar-supported anatase MFC than in the graphite cathode. The concentration and pH gradient experiments revealed that the degradation efficiency of Cr (VI) was 97.05% at an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, whereas a pH value of two resulted in a degradation efficiency of 94.275%. The biochar-supported anatase composites avoided anatase agglomeration and provided more active sites, thus accelerating the cathode electron transfer. In this study, natural anatase and biochar were ingeniously combined to fabricate a green and efficient electrode catalyst, offering a novel approach for the preparation of high-performance positive catalysts as well as a sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly method for Cr (VI) removal in aqueous solutions.

Keywords: cathode catalysis; MFC; biochar; anatase; Cr (VI) pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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