Abstract
Papaya (Carica papaya) waste cause significant commercial and environmental damage, mainly due to the economic losses and foul odours they emit when decomposing. Therefore, this work provides an innovative way to generate electricity for the benefit of society and companies dedicated to the import and export of this fruit. Microbial fuel cells are a technology that allows electricity generation. These cells were produced with low-cost materials using zinc and copper electrodes; while a 150 mL polymethylmethacrylate tube was used as a substrate collection chamber (papaya waste). Maximum values of 0.736 ± 0.204 V and 5.57 ± 0.45 mA were generated, while pH values increased from 3.848 to 8.227 ± 0.35 and Brix decreased slowly from the first day. The maximum power density value was 878.38 mW/cm2 at a current density of 7.245 A/cm2 at a maximum voltage of 1072.77 mV. The bacteria were identified with an identity percentage of 99.32% for Achromobacter xylosoxidans species, 99.93% for Acinetobacter bereziniae, and 100.00% for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This research gives a new way for the use of papaya waste for bioelectricity generation.
Highlights
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) generate electricity from microbial activity present in substrates, which is done through the oxidation of organic matter
A 600 mL polymethylmethacrylate tube was used as an MFC chamber, to which a 5 cm hole was drilled at one end for the cathode to have contact with the environment (O2 ), the electrodes were 78.54 cm2 in the area; both electrodes were joined by an external resistor connected with copper wire (0.2 cm in diameter)
The reduction in voltage values of MFCs is because, as time passed, the organic matter content increased, depositing on the bottom of the chambers and, the size of organic particles increased, which restricted the movement of protons in the substrate of the anode chamber [21]
Summary
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices capable of producing bioelectricity from wastewater, organic waste or sewage sludge, based on the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy [1,2]. Among the wide variety of MFCs, there are single-chamber MFCs, which contain the anode and cathode electrodes in the same container, but are connected by an external circuit (where the electrons flow) and most of the time they are connected by a proton exchange membrane inside the cell [3]. MFCs generate electricity from microbial activity present in substrates (fuels), which is done through the oxidation of organic matter. One of their main advantages is their long functional life and their low cost of production, in addition to the positive impact on the environment [4,5]
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