Simultaneous Enhancement of Methylene Blue Degradation and Power Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell by Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study examined the effect of positively charged gold nanoparticles [(+)AuNPs] on the enhancement of methylene blue (MB) degradation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) cathode. Complete MB degradation and a maximum electricity production of 36.56 mW/m2 were achieved simultaneously. The MFC performance and MB degradation were found to be strictly dependent on the cathodic conditions, such as N2 bubbling, air bubbling, and addition of H2O2. MB was reduced rapidly under anaerobic conditions, whereas complete oxidative mineralization of MB occurred in the presence of dissolved oxygen (DO) or H2O2. (+)AuNPs enhanced the electricity generation in the MFCs involving MB degradation owing to its electron-relay effect. The presence of both (+)AuNPs and H2O2 produced the greatest enhancement in MB degradation. After 5 h, almost all of the MB (98%) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (96%) had been removed in the presence of (+)AuNPs, whereas only 57.4% of the MB and 40% of the COD had been removed in the absence of (+)AuNPs.