High-performance microbial fuel cell based on activated biomass carbon aerogel

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20240434

Abstract

Abstract:

The development of new, high -efficiency, and cheap anode materials is one of the main ways to solve the bottleneck problem of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) applications. The biomass-based carbon aerogel (CA) was prepared based on sugarcane using a simple direct carbonization method and used as an advanced anode in high-performance MFCs. The results showed that benefiting from the naturally ordered pore three-dimensional structure that ensured effective electroactivity and microbial accessible area, as well as good electrical conductivity and biocompatibility, the maximum power density of MFCs with CA-900℃ as the anode was 2.58 times of the MFCs higher than that of MFCs with two-dimensional carbon paper with the same volume. Furthermore, the activated biomass carbon aerogel (ACA) was obtained with the electrooxidation and reduction processes. The ACA-30min exhibited a higher degree of graphitization, significantly enhanced electrical conductivity, and a more optimized hierarchical pore structure. The specific surface area and pore volume of ACA-30min are 1.8 times and 2.35 times of the CA-900℃, respectively. The maximum power density and Coulombic efficiency of the ACA-30min MFCs were 1.11 times and 1.33 times of the CA-900℃ MFCs, respectively. These results will facilitate the development of green, efficient, and cost-effective three-dimensional carbon materials for MFCs. It also opens up new avenues for sewage treatment and recycling of agricultural resources.

Key words: microbial fuel cells, anode, biomass, carbon aerogel, electrochemical, activation

摘要：

开发新型、高效、廉价的阳极材料，是解决微生物燃料电池（microbial fuel cells，MFCs）应用瓶颈问题的主要途径之一。使用简单生物质直接炭化法基于甘蔗秸秆制备了先进的生物质碳气凝胶（carbon aerogel，CA），并以此为阳极开发了高性能的MFCs。结果显示，得益于天然有序的三维孔结构保证了有效电活性和微生物可及面积，良好的导电性能和生物相容性，以CA-900℃为阳极的MFCs功率密度是二维相同体积碳纸MFCs的2.58倍。经过进一步的电氧化结合还原过程得到的活化生物质碳气凝胶（activated carbon aerogel， ACA）石墨化程度明显增大，导电率显著增强，分级孔结构得到进一步优化，其比表面积和孔体积分别是活化前的1.8倍和2.35倍。ACA-30min MFC的功率密度和库仑效率分别是活化前的1.11倍和1.33倍。这些结果将促进用于MFCs装置的低成本、高效率的生物质三维碳材料的开发，同时为污水净化、农业资源的循环利用开辟新思路。

关键词: 微生物燃料电池, 阳极, 生物质, 碳气凝胶, 电化学, 活化

CLC Number:

O 646

Wenxian GUO, Yan ZHANG, Yun ZHANG, Caizhi DENG, Jinyu SHI, Meiqiong CHEN, Min ZHANG, Faliang CHENG. High-performance microbial fuel cell based on activated biomass carbon aerogel[J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(12): 4793-4803.

郭文显, 张燕, 张云, 邓才智, 石锦煜, 陈妹琼, 张敏, 程发良. 基于活化生物质碳气凝胶的高性能微生物燃料电池[J]. 化工学报, 2024, 75(12): 4793-4803.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 Illustration of the synthesis procedure of the ACA

Fig.2 SEM images of biomass carbon aerogel before and after activation

Fig.3 Crystal structure characterization and component analysis of biomass carbon aerogel before and after activation

Fig.4 N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm curves and pore size distribution of biomass carbon aerogel before and after activation

Fig.5 Electrochemical properties of biomass carbon aerogel before and after activation

Tabel 1 Equivalent electrical circuit parameters obtained by the EIS studies

电极	R_ohm/Ω	R_ct/Ω	CPE		Q
电极	R_ohm/Ω	R_ct/Ω	Y₀/(Ω^-1·s ⁿ )	n	Y₀/(Ω^-1·s ⁿ )	n
CA-900℃	5.13	2.68	0.09	0.34	0.11	0.31
ACA-30 min	7.0	0.82	0.007	0.68	0.37	0.52

Fig.6 MFCs equipped with biomass carbon aerogel anode

Table 2 Performance comparison of MFCs with different biomass carbon anodes

前体	处理方式	MFCs构型	基质	产电微生物	最大功率密度	文献
竹子	炭化	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	(1652±18) mW/m²	[27]
松球	炭化	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	10.88 W/m³	[26]
栗子壳	炭化+活化	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	23.6 W/m³	[28]
木棉纤维	炭化	单室	乙酸盐	混合菌	27.9 W/m³	[29]
丝瓜络	表面负载墨汁	单室	乙酸盐	混合菌	0.82 mW/cm³	[30]
丝瓜络	H₂O₂ 处理	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	(61.7±0.6) W/m³	[30]
苍耳子碳	炭化活化	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	(572.57±24.90) μW/m³	[31]
松果碳	炭化	双室	乙酸盐	混合菌	10.88 W/m³	[26]
葵花壳碳	炭化活化	双室	磷酸盐	希瓦氏菌	28.00 W/m³	[32]
甘蔗	冷干炭化+活化	双室	葡萄糖	大肠杆菌	58.56 W/m³	本研究

Fig.7 Current output of different materials at 0.2 V

Fig.8 SEM images of different anodes after fed-batch mode

Fig.9 SEM images of biomass carbon aerogel prepared with different oxidation time

Fig.10 Characterization results of biomass carbon aerogel prepared with different oxidation time

Fig.11 Electrochemical properties and MFCs performance of different anodes

Fig.12 Current output of different anodes at 0.2 V

References 33

1	Zhang S, Jiang J, Wang H, et al. A review of microbial electrosynthesis applied to carbon dioxide capture and conversion: The basic principles, electrode materials, and bioproducts[J]. Journal of CO₂ Utilization, 2021, 51: 101640.
2	Zhao J, Li F, Cao Y, et al. Microbial extracellular electron transfer and strategies for engineering electroactive microorganisms[J]. Biotechnology Advances, 2021, 53: 107682.
3	Sun M, Zhai L F, Li W W, et al. Harvest and utilization of chemical energy in wastes by microbial fuel cells[J]. Chemical Society Reviews, 2016, 45(10): 2847-2870.
4	Li S, Cheng C, Thomas A. Carbon-based microbial-fuel-cell electrodes: from conductive supports to active catalysts[J]. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(8): 1602547.
5	Yang W, Chen S. Biomass-derived carbon for electrode fabrication in microbial fuel cells: a review[J]. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2020, 59(14): 6391-6404.
6	Zhou M, Chi M, Luo J, et al. An overview of electrode materials in microbial fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2011, 196(10): 4427-4435.
7	Wang Y, He C, Li W, et al. High power generation in mixed-culture microbial fuel cells with corncob-derived three-dimensional N-doped bioanodes and the impact of N dopant states[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 399: 125848.
8	Vempaty A, Kumar A, Pandit S, et al. Evaluation of the Datura peels derived biochar-based anode for enhancing power output in microbial fuel cell application[J]. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 2023, 47: 102560.
9	Zhang Y, Wang F, Zhu H, et al. Preparation of nitrogen-doped biomass-derived carbon nanofibers/graphene aerogel as a binder-free electrode for high performance supercapacitors[J]. Applied Surface Science, 2017, 426: 99-106.
10	Kobina Sam D, Kobina Sam E, Lv X. Application of biomass-derived nitrogen-doped carbon aerogels in electrocatalysis and supercapacitors[J]. ChemElectroChem, 2020, 7(18): 3695-3712.
11	Chen Y, Zhang L, Yang Y, et al. Recent progress on nanocellulose aerogels: preparation, modification, composite fabrication, applications[J]. Advanced Materials, 2021, 33(11): 2005569.
12	陈媛, 韩雁明, 范东斌, 等. 生物质纤维素基碳气凝胶材料研究进展[J]. 林业科学, 2019, 55(10): 88-98.
	Chen Y, Han Y M, Fan D B, et al. Carbon aerogel based on biomass cellulose[J]. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2019, 55(10): 88-98.
13	Hao P, Zhao Z, Tian J, et al. Hierarchical porous carbon aerogel derived from bagasse for high performance supercapacitor electrode[J]. Nanoscale, 2014, 6(20): 12120-12129.
14	Chen Y, Fan D, Lyu S, et al. Elasticity-enhanced and aligned structure nanocellulose foam-like aerogel assembled with cooperation of chemical art and gradient freezing[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2019, 7(1): 1381-1388.
15	Chen Y, Yang S, Fan D, et al. Dual-enhanced hydrophobic and mechanical properties of long-range 3D anisotropic binary-composite nanocellulose foams via bidirectional gradient freezing[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2019, 7(15): 12878-12886.
16	Li Y Q, Samad Y A, Polychronopoulou K, et al. Carbon aerogel from winter melon for highly efficient and recyclable oils and organic solvents absorption[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2014, 2(6): 1492-1497.
17	Li Y Q, Samad Y A, Polychronopoulou K, et al. Lightweight and highly conductive aerogel-like carbon from sugarcane with superior mechanical and EMI shielding properties[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2015, 3(7): 1419-1427.
18	Guo W, Chen M, Liu X, et al. Mo₂C/reduced graphene oxide composites with enhanced electrocatalytic activity and biocompatibility for microbial fuel cells[J]. Chemistry - A European Journal, 2021, 27(13): 4291-4296.
19	Li X, Hu M H, Zeng L Z, et al. Co-modified MoO₂ nanoparticles highly dispersed on N-doped carbon nanorods as anode electrocatalyst of microbial fuel cells[J]. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2019, 145: 111727.
20	Xiao K, Ding L X, Chen H B, et al. Nitrogen-doped porous carbon derived from residuary shaddock peel: a promising and sustainable anode for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitors[J]. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2016, 4(2): 372-378.
21	Chen M Q, Guo W X, Zhang Y, et al. Activated nitrogen-doped ordered porous carbon as advanced anode for high-performance microbial fuel cells[J]. Electrochimica Acta, 2021, 391: 138920.
22	魏同业. 生物质基多孔碳材料的制备与应用[D]. 湘潭: 湘潭大学, 2016.
	Wei T Y. Preparation and application of biomass-based porous carbon materials[D]. Xiangtan: Xiangtan University, 2016.
23	Deeke A, Sleutels T H J A, Ter Heijne A, et al. Influence of the thickness of the capacitive layer on the performance of bioanodes in microbial fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 243: 611-616.
24	Chen W W, Liu Z L, Hou J X, et al. Enhancing performance of microbial fuel cells by using novel double-layer-capacitor-materials modified anodes[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43(3): 1816-1823.
25	Wu J X, Liu R J, Dong P F, et al. Enhanced electricity generation and storage by nitrogen-doped hierarchically porous carbon modification of the capacitive bioanode in microbial fuel cells[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2023, 858: 159688.
26	Wang R W, Liu D, Yan M, et al. Three-dimensional high performance free-standing anode by one-step carbonization of pinecone in microbial fuel cells[J]. Bioresource Technology, 2019, 292: 121956.
27	Zhang J, Li J, Ye D D, et al. Tubular bamboo charcoal for anode in microbial fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 272: 277-282.
28	Chen Q, Pu W H, Hou H J, et al. Activated microporous-mesoporous carbon derived from chestnut shell as a sustainable anode material for high performance microbial fuel cells[J]. Bioresource Technology, 2018, 249: 567-573.
29	Zhu H L, Wang H M, Li Y Y, et al. Lightweight, conductive hollow fibers from nature as sustainable electrode materials for microbial energy harvesting[J]. Nano Energy, 2014, 10: 268-276.
30	Zhou L H, Sun L H, Fu P, et al. Carbon nanoparticles of Chinese ink-wrapped natural loofah sponge: a low-cost three-dimensional electrode for high-performance microbial energy harvesting[J]. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2017, 5(28): 14741-14747.
31	Yang C C, Chen M J, Qian Y J, et al. Packed anode derived from cocklebur fruit for improving long-term performance of microbial fuel cells[J]. Science China Materials, 2019, 62(5): 645-652.
32	Wang H Y, Wang G M, Ling Y C, et al. High power density microbial fuel cell with flexible 3D graphene-nickel foam as anode[J]. Nanoscale, 2013, 5(21): 10283-10290.
33	Harnisch F, Schröder U. From MFC to MXC: chemical and biological cathodes and their potential for microbial bioelectrochemical systems[J]. Chemical Society Reviews, 2010, 39(11): 4433-4448.

[1]	Meilin SHI, Lianda ZHAO, Xingjian DENG, Jingsong WANG, Haibin ZUO, Qingguo XUE. Research progress on catalytic methane reforming process [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(S1): 25-39.
[2]	Dewei WU, Zhengpeng WANG, Yue ZHOU, Xiaoning LI, Zhao CHEN, Zhuo LI, Chengwei LIU, Xuegang LI, Wende XIAO. Preparation of silicon carbon anode for lithium-ion batteries by fixed bed and lithium storage properties [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(S1): 300-308.
[3]	Xinyi LUO, Qiang XU, Yonglu SHE, Tengfei NIE, Liejin GUO. Study on bubble dynamic characteristics and mass transfer mechanism in photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(9): 3083-3093.
[4]	Jiaying ZHANG, Cong WANG, Yajun WANG. CNT-Co/Bi₂O₃ catalyst photocatalytic synergistic activation of persulfate for efficient degradation of tetracycline [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(9): 3163-3175.
[5]	Xuehong WU, Xin WEI, Jiawen HOU, Cai LYU, Yong LIU, He LIU, Zhijuan CHANG. Preparation of carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis method and their application in heat dissipation coatings [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(9): 3360-3368.
[6]	Xianggang ZHANG, Yulong CHANG, Hualin WANG, Xia JIANG. Low energy consumption non-phase change second drying of waste straw and other biomass [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(7): 2433-2445.
[7]	Yiqi ZHANG, Xuesong TAN, Wuhuan LI, Quan ZHANG, Changlin MIAO, Xinshu ZHUANG. Efficient fractionation of sugarcane bagasse with phenoxyethanol under mild condition [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(6): 2274-2282.
[8]	Runlong LI, Tong XU, Fei CHEN, Chengwei MA. Lithium metal anode interface thermal distribution evolution mechanism [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(6): 2322-2331.
[9]	Yang JIANG, Changhong PENG, Wei CHEN, Hao ZHOU, Zhongbin MA, Hongbo LI, Zairong QIU, Guopeng ZHANG, Kanggen ZHOU. Pilot study on comprehensive recycling of waste lithium iron phosphate powder [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(6): 2353-2361.
[10]	Lin ZHANG, Ziyi ZHANG, Yong LI, Shaoping TONG. Preparation of Fe-carbon/nitrogen composites from Fe-MOF-74 precusor and its performance in activating peroxymonosulfate [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(5): 1882-1889.
[11]	Xiaoqing YAN, Ying ZHAO, Yuzhe ZHANG, Honghui OU, Qizhong HUANG, Huagui HU, Guidong YANG. Preparation of five-fold twinned copper nanowires@polypyrrole and their electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate to ammonia [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(4): 1519-1532.
[12]	Xi WU, Bo SUN, Yindong LIU, Chuanlei QI, Kaiyi CHEN, Luhai WANG, Chong XU, Yongfeng LI. Research progress in preparation technology of pitch-based carbon anode materials for sodium-ion batteries [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(4): 1270-1283.
[13]	Jihao WU, Tao CHEN, Siyu LIU, Mengke LIU, Juan YANG. Preparation of pitch-based hard carbon by bi-functional activation strategy for sodium-ion batteries [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(3): 1019-1027.
[14]	Zhiming CHEN, Zefeng WANG, Gaoqi MA, Liangbo WANG, Chengtao YU, Pengju PAN. Research progress on improving thermal stability of polylactic acid based on stannous inactivation and chain end-group modification [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(3): 760-767.
[15]	Yibin DONG, Jingchao XIONG, Jingyu WANG, Shoukang WANG, Yafei WANG, Qunxing HUANG. LiDAR measurement based on model predictive control for boiler combustion optimization [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(3): 924-935.