Three-Dimensional Carbon Monolith Coated by Nano-TiO 2 for Anode Enhancement in Microbial Fuel Cells

Fan Zhao, Yini Chen, Shiyang Zhang, Meng Li and Xinhua Tang ()
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Fan Zhao: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, China
Yini Chen: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, China
Shiyang Zhang: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, China
Meng Li: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, China
Xinhua Tang: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430062, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) anode is essential for high-performance microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, 3D porous carbon monoliths from a wax gourd (WGCM) were obtained by freeze-drying and carbonization. Nano-TiO 2 was further coated onto the surface of WGCM to obtain a nano-TiO 2 /WGCM anode. The WGCM anode enhanced the maximum power density of MFCs by 167.9% compared with the carbon felt anode, while nano-TiO 2 /WGCM anode additionally increased the value by 45.8% to achieve 1396.2 mW/m 2 . WGCM enhancement was due to the 3D porous structure, the good conductivity and the surface hydrophilicity, which enhanced electroactive biofilm formation and anodic electron transfer. In addition, nano-TiO 2 modification enhanced the enrichment of Acinetobacter , an electricigen, by 31.0% on the anode to further improve the power production. The results demonstrated that the nano-TiO 2 /WGCM was an effective anode for power enhancement in MFCs.

Keywords: microbial fuel cells; anode; carbon monolith; nano-TiO 2; Acinetobacter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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