Bioelectricity generation using iron(II) molybdate nanocatalyst coated anode during treatment of sugar wastewater in microbial fuel cell

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) acts as an auspicious technology that converts chemical energy into electricity and removes the pollutants from wastewater by means of catalytic action of microorganisms. Recently, advances in nanofabrication provide a unique opportunity to develop an efficient electrode for the MFC with remarkable structural, electrical and chemical properties. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of Iron(II)molybdate (FeMoO4) as a novel anode catalyst on improving power generation in MFC using sugar wastewater as a substrate. XRD and SEM analyses were done for nanocatalyst confirmation and to understand the morphology of the FeMoO4 coated electrodes. The MFC performance was investigated and compared with the nanocomposite coated electrode and control (plain) electrode, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the FeMoO4 coated electrode achieved the maximum power density of 106 ± 3 mW/m2, coloumbic efficiency of 21.3 ± 0.5% and COD removal efficiency of 79.8 ± 1.5% respectively. The results demonstrated that the synthesized nanoparticles could act as an efficient anode catalyst for enhancing the MFC performance.