Qingwen Zheng, Zhuo Ma, Yunfeng Qiu et al.

Applied Surface Science • 2025

Feng Li, Xingjuan An, Deguang Wu et al.

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2019

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are eco-friendly bio-electrochemical reactors that use exoelectrogens as biocatalyst for electricity harvest from organic biomass, which could also be used as biosensors for long-term environmental monitoring. Glucose and xylose, as the primary ingredients from cellulose hydrolyzates, is an appealing substrate for MFC. Nevertheless, neither xylose nor glucose can be utilized as carbon source by well-studied exoelectrogens such as Shewanella oneidensis . In this study, to harvest the electricity by rapidly harnessing xylose and glucose from corn stalk hydrolysate, we herein firstly designed glucose and xylose co-fed engineered Klebsiella pneumoniae-S. oneidensis microbial consortium, in which K. pneumoniae as the fermenter converted glucose and xylose into lactate to feed the exoelectrogens ( S. oneidensis ). To produce more lactate in K. pneumoniae , we eliminated the ethanol and acetate pathway via deleting pta (phosphotransacetylase gene) and adhE (alcohol dehydrogenase gene) and further constructed a synthesis and delivery system through expressing ldhD (lactate dehydrogenase gene) and lldP (lactate transporter gene). To facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET) of S. oneidensis , a biosynthetic flavins pathway from Bacillus subtilis was expressed in a highly hydrophobic S. oneidensis CP-S1, which not only improved direct-contacted EET via enhancing S. oneidensis adhesion to the carbon electrode but also accelerated the flavins-mediated EET via increasing flavins synthesis. Furthermore, we optimized the ratio of glucose and xylose concentration to provide a stable carbon source supply in MFCs for higher power density. The glucose and xylose co-fed MFC inoculated with the recombinant consortium generated a maximum power density of 104.7 ± 10.0 mW/m 2 , which was 7.2-folds higher than that of the wild-type consortium (12.7 ± 8.0 mW/m 2 ). Lastly, we used this synthetic microbial consortium in the corn straw hydrolyzates-fed MFC, obtaining a power density 23.5 ± 6.0 mW/m 2 .

Lijuan Zhang, Weihua He, Junchuan Yang et al.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics • 2018

Iwona Gajda, John Greenman, Ioannis Ieropoulos

Applied Energy • 2020

The chemical energy contained in urine can be efficiently extracted into direct electricity by Microbial Fuel Cell stacks to reach usable power levels for practical implementation and a decentralised power source in remote locations. Herein, a novel type of the anode electrode was developed using powdered activated carbon (PAC) applied onto the carbon fibre scaffold in the ceramic MFC stack to achieve superior electrochemical performance during 500 days of operation. The stack equipped with modified anodes (MF-CV) produced up to 37.9 mW (21.1 W m -3 ) in comparison to the control (CV) that reached 21.4 mW (11.9 W m -3 ) showing 77% increase in power production. The novel combination of highly porous activated carbon particles applied onto the conductive network of carbon fibres promoted simultaneously electrocatalytic activity and increased surface area, resulting in excellent power output from the MFC stack as well as higher treatment rate. Considering the low cost and simplicity of the material preparation, as well as the outstanding electrochemical activity during long term operation, the resulting modification provides a promising anode electrocatalyst for high-performance MFC stacks to enhance urine and waste treatment for the purpose of future scale-up and technology implementation as an applied off-grid energy source.

Bao Yu, Yanhong Li, Liu Feng

Journal of Hazardous Materials • 2019

Bonyoung Koo, Seung‐Mok Lee, Sang‐Eun Oh et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2018

Peng Zhang, Jia Liu, Youpeng Qu et al.

Journal of Power Sources • 2017

M. Harshiny, N. Samsudeen, Rao Jana Kameswara et al.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2017

Ayushman Bhattacharya, Pritha Chatterjee

Journal of Water Process Engineering • 2024

Taehui Nam, Sunghoon Son, Bonyoung Koo et al.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2017

Shuiliang Chen, Sunil A. Patil, Uwe Schröder

Applied Energy • 2017

Iwona Gajda, John Greenman, Carlo Santoro et al.

Energy • 2017

Power output limitation is one of the main challenges that needs to be addressed for full-scale applications of the Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Previous studies have examined electrochemical performance of different cathode electrodes including the development of novel iron based electrocatalysts, however the long-term investigation into continuously operating systems is rare. This work aims to study the application of platinum group metals-free (PGM-free) catalysts integrated into an air-breathing cathode of the microbial fuel cell operating on activated sewage sludge and supplemented with acetate as the carbon energy source. The maximum power density up to 1.3 Wm -2 (54 Wm -3 ) obtained with iron aminoantipyrine (Fe-AAPyr) catalyst is the highest reported in this type of MFC and shows stability and improvement in long term operation when continuously operated on wastewater. It also investigates the ability of this catalyst to facilitate water extraction from the anode and electroosmotic production of clean catholyte. The electrochemical kinetic extraction of catholyte in the cathode chamber shows correlation with power performance and produces a newly synthesised solution with a high pH > 13, suggesting caustic content. This shows an active electrolytic treatment of wastewater by active ionic and pH splitting in an electricity producing MFC.

Debajyoti Bose, Shanmathi Sridharan, Himanshi Dhawan et al.

Fuel • 2018

Yeray Asensio, Carmen M. Fernández‐Marchante, Justo Lobato et al.

Water Research • 2016

Blagovesta Midyurova

2019 X National Conference with International Participation (ELECTRONICA) • 2019

In this work, sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) with carbon cloth cathode, carbon plate anode and membranes based on ceramic materials was constructed in laboratory tests and various factors on SMFC power output were investigated. The state of the art on this topic has been comprehensively reviewed, and the effect of external resistance varying from 10.38MΩ on cell voltage, current and organic matter removal have been reported. The results obtained indicated that when external resistance was increased, the voltage decreased.

Aradhana Singh, Ioannis Ieropoulos

Renewable Energy • 2025

The ever-increasing pollution on our planet demands the development of clean technologies. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is one technology with multiple benefits, including, but not limited to, wastewater treatment, bioelectricity generation, heavy metal toxicity reduction, and fertiliser production through catholyte formation. In-situ catholyte production in MFCs requires more research to understand how it can be tailored for biofertiliser and bioelectricity production. This study aims to produce better quality catholyte and observe its correlation with bioelectricity generation using ceramic additives known as biomedia. To evaluate its effect on catholyte electrosynthesis and concomitant production of bioelectricity, a mix of fine-grained ceramic additives was introduced to the anolyte. Over the course of the experiment, it was observed that the synthesis of catholyte in MFCs containing biomedia, was 35 % higher in volume compared to that of the MFCs without biomedia, and the electrical conductivity increased to a maximum of 15.72 mS/cm with pH 11.23 with elements such as aluminium being removed from the wastewater in the anode. The current and power generation were also significantly higher in biomedia-MFCs, which suggests its correlation with better quality catholyte. The novel approach of using low cost ceramic additives to amend anolytewas demonstrated as an effective strategy to enhance catholyte production combined with high electricity generation in MFC.

Elizabeth Heidrich, Jan Dolfing, Matthew J. Wade et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2017

The factors that affect microbial community assembly and its effects on the performance of bioelectrochemical systems are poorly understood. Sixteen microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactors were set up to test the importance of inoculum, temperature and substrate: Arctic soil versus wastewater as inoculum; warm (26.5°C) versus cold (7.5°C) temperature; and acetate versus wastewater as substrate. Substrate was the dominant factor in determining performance and diversity: unexpectedly the simple electrogenic substrate delivered a higher diversity than a complex wastewater. Furthermore, in acetate fed reactors, diversity did not correlate with performance, yet in wastewater fed ones it did, with greater diversity sustaining higher power densities and coulombic efficiencies. Temperature had only a minor effect on power density, (Q 10 : 2 and 1.2 for acetate and wastewater respectively): this is surprising given the well-known temperature sensitivity of anaerobic bioreactors. Reactors were able to operate at low temperature with real wastewater without the need for specialised inocula; it is speculated that MFC biofilms may have a self-heating effect. Importantly, the warm acetate fed reactors in this study did not act as direct model for cold wastewater fed systems. Application of this technology will encompass use of real wastewater at ambient temperatures.

Sameen Yousaf, Maira Anam, Naeem Ali

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology • 2017

Jianjun Wang, Yanping Zhang, Bianfeng Yang et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2025

This study explores Cu/TiO 2 nanoparticles as photocathode catalysts to enhance microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. Cu/TiO 2 samples with 1-4 wt% Cu loading were synthesized via low-temperature calcination and characterized for their optical, electrochemical, and photocatalytic properties. The 2 wt% Cu/TiO 2 exhibited optimal performance, with a specific surface area 2.6 times larger than pure TiO 2 and 26 % higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency of methyl orange (MO). When applied in photocatalytic microbial fuel cell (Photo-MFC), the 2 wt% Cu/TiO 2 /SSWM achieved an open-circuit voltage of 790 mV and a power density of 312 mW·m -2 , significantly outperforming traditional Pt catalysts and stainless steel wire mesh (SSWM) controls. Additionally, the MO degradation efficiency reached 99 %, demonstrating superior photocatalytic activity. This study provides a cost-effective and high-performance solution for photocathode materials, achieving high power output and pollutant degradation efficiency, offering a promising alternative to traditional Pt catalysts for sustainable wastewater treatment.

Tabbi Wilberforce, Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, Khaled Elsaid et al.

Energy • 2021

Haoran Yuan, Lifang Deng, Yong Chen et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2016

Jeremiah Houghton, Carlo Santoro, Francesca Soavi et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2016

Supercapacitive microbial fuel cells with various anode and cathode dimensions were investigated in order to determine the effect on cell capacitance and delivered power quality. The cathode size was shown to be the limiting component of the system in contrast to anode size. By doubling the cathode area, the peak power output was improved by roughly 120% for a 10ms pulse discharge and internal resistance of the cell was decreased by ∼47%. A model was constructed in order to predict the performance of a hypothetical cylindrical MFC design with larger relative cathode size. It was found that a small device based on conventional materials with a volume of approximately 21cm(3) would be capable of delivering a peak power output of approximately 25mW at 70mA, corresponding to ∼1300Wm(-3).

Jing Guo, Jianping Cheng, Beibei Li et al.

Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry • 2018

Linpeng Yu, Zujie Yang, Qiuxiang He et al.

Environmental Science & Technology • 2018

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology that converts chemical energy into electricity. However, up to now only few MFCs have been powered by gas fuels, such as methane, and their limited performance is still challenged by the low solubility and bioavailability of gases. Here, we developed a gas diffusion cloth (GDC) anode to significantly enhance the performance of methane-powered MFCs. The GDC anode was constructed by simply coating waterproof GORE-TEX cloth with conductive carbon cloth in one step. After biofilm enrichment, the GDC anodes obtained a methane-dependent current up to 1130.2 mA m -2 , which was 165.2 times higher than conventional carbon cloth (CC) anodes. Moreover, MFCs equipped with GDC anodes generated a maximum power density of 419.5 mW m -2 . Illumina high-throughput sequencing revealed that the GDC anode biofilm was dominated mainly by Geobacter, in contrast with the most abundant Methanobacterium in planktonic cells. It is hypothesized that Methanobacterium reversed the methanogenesis process by transferring electrons to the anodes, and Geobacter generated electricity via the intermediates (e.g., acetate) of anaerobic methane oxidation. Overall, this work provides an effective route in preparing facile and cost-effective anodes for high-performance methane MFCs.

Bita Shirvani, Soheil Dadari, Masoud Rahimi et al.

Energy Conversion and Management • 2024

Dongle Cheng, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2020

Mei-Hua Hu, Xin Li, Juan Xiong et al.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics • 2019

Jiwei Jiang, Haonan Wang, Shixuan Zhang et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2021

Xiaoou Wang, Yimei Tian, Hong Liu et al.

The Science of The Total Environment • 2018

Mohammad Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, Shamim Ahmed, Nayem Hossain et al.

Renewable Energy • 2023

Huanhuan Zhao, Qinghua Zhang

Bioresource Technology • 2020

Yunqing Li, Yinghui Tang, Qiong Wu et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2023

Gourav Dhar Bhowmick, Md Tabish Noori, Indrasis Das et al.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2018

Timothy Ewing, Phuc Thi Ha, Haluk Beyenal

Applied Energy • 2016

Αsimina Tremouli, Michalis Martinos, Gérasimos Lyberatos

Waste and Biomass Valorization • 2016

Teng Cai, Manhong Huang, Yuxuan Huang et al.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2018

Bao Yu, Liu Feng, Yali He et al.

Journal of Hazardous Materials • 2020

Choon Aun Ng, Sue Na Chew, Mohammed J.K. Bashir et al.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2023

Huimin Zhao, Jianqiang Zhao, Fenghai Li et al.

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2016

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) with nitrite as an electron acceptor in cathode provided a new technology for nitrogen removal and electricity production simultaneously. The influences of influent nitrite concentration and external resistance on the performance of denitrifying MFC were investigated. The optimal effectiveness were obtained with the maximum total nitrogen (TN) removal rate of 54.80±0.01 g m-3 d-1. It would be rather desirable for the TN removal than electricity generation at lower external resistance. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis suggested that Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, accounting for 35.72%. Thiobacillus and Afipia might benefit to nitrite removal. The presence of nitrifying Devosia indicated that nitrite was oxidized to nitrate via a biochemical mechanism in the cathode. Ignavibacterium and Anaerolineaceae was found in the cathode as a heterotrophic bacterium with sodium acetate as substrate, which illustrated that sodium acetate in anode was likely permeated through proton exchange membrane to the cathode .

Mehrdad Mashkour, Mostafa Rahimnejad, Mahdi Mashkour

Journal of Power Sources • 2016