Abstract
Studies are presented in the context of the past attempts at finding nanocatalysts that can boost the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) ? in terms of waste treatment and energy generation. Given the great potential of biomimetically synthesized nanoparticles (BMNPs) in providing less expensive and more environmentally friendly alternatives to NPs synthesized by physical and chemical methods, as well as a near-total lack of previous work in this area, the current research was undertaken. Effect of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized biomimetically using five freely available weeds, was assessed as catalysts in the MFCs. In all cases, the nanoparticles were seen to enhance the coulombic efficiency (reflective of the reduction in the waste’s organic carbon load), maximum attainable power density, and overall energy yield of the MFCs by >200% relative to the uncatalyzed MFCs. Gold nanoparticles were more effective than silver nanoparticles by ? 20%. The results reveal that biomimetically synthesized NPs can be highly effective in reducing the operational costs as well as ecological footprints of MFCs and further work should be focused on NPs of non-precious metals.
Highlights
The Economic Unviability of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) and the Need to Remedy itAs reviewed by us recently (Tabassum-Abbasi et al 2019), microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been explored extensively in recent years for the dual objective of generating energy while treating organic waste
This paper has presented studies on the performance of biomimetically synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (BMNPs), using the weeds lantana (Lantana camara), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), mimosa, coral vine (Antigonon leptopus), and parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) in boosting energy output from microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
Batch fed, MFCs of 1500 mL capacity in which salt bridge was used as the electrode interface, were employed for the purpose
Summary
The Economic Unviability of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) and the Need to Remedy it. As reviewed by us recently (Tabassum-Abbasi et al 2019), microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been explored extensively in recent years for the dual objective of generating energy while treating organic waste. The NP coating led to 68.5% COD removal efficiency as compared to 63.1% achieved in the bare electrode, even as anodic charge transfer resistance decreased by the NPs. Available reports on the use of NPs synthesized with chemical or physical methods (Rajalakshmi 2019, Noori et al 2020) show that NPs help in increasing MFC performance by reducing the biofouling caused by fungi such as Cladosporinm spp and Aspergillus spp, thereby reducing ohmic over potential and proportionately enhancing the MFC’s energy output. Available reports on the use of NPs synthesized with chemical or physical methods (Rajalakshmi 2019, Noori et al 2020) show that NPs help in increasing MFC performance by reducing the biofouling caused by fungi such as Cladosporinm spp and Aspergillus spp, thereby reducing ohmic over potential and proportionately enhancing the MFC’s energy output They enhance the oxygen release rate (ORR), a major step in MFC functioning (Li et al 2016, Anusha et al 2018); serving as efficient electrochemical catalysts. Whereas membranes have some advantages in comparison to salt brides, they are besieged with serious drawbacks (Rajalakshmi 2019)
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