微生物燃料电池利用乳酸产电性能与微生物群落分布特征

【目的】为探讨以乳酸为基质的微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cell,MFC)产电性能以及微生物群落在阳极膜、悬浮液、阳极沉淀污泥中的分布特征,【方法】试验建立了双室MFC,以乳酸为阳极主要碳源,研究了反应器的启动过程及产电效能,同时以电镜和PCR-变性梯度凝胶电泳(Denaturing gradient gelelectrophoresis,DGGE)技术解析了微生物群落的空间分布特征。【结果】结果表明,反应器启动第7天时外电压达到0.56 V,当外阻为80Ω时,电流密度为415 mA/m2,MFC的功率密度达到最大值82 mW/m2。电镜观察发现大量杆菌附着在阳极表面,结合较为紧密;DGGE图谱显示阳极膜表面微生物与种泥最为相似,与阳极悬浮液、底部沉淀污泥中的主要菌群一致,条带序列与睾丸酮丛毛单胞菌(Comamonas testosteroni)和布氏弓形菌(Arcobacter butzleri)等最为相似。【结论】本研究表明以乳酸为基质MFC可产生较高的功率密度,阳极附着的优势菌与接种污泥来源密切相关。     

好氧-厌氧混合污泥启动微生物燃料电池产电性能及微生物群落动态特征

【目的】为探讨好氧-厌氧混合污泥启动微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cell,MFC)产电性能以及MFC对微生物群落的选择作用,【方法】以乳酸为底物,应用不依赖于培养的微生物分子生物学技术解析单室MFC启动过程中微生物群落的组成和结构动态学特征。【结果】结果表明,MFC经过3个周期启动成功,最高输出电压230 m V。当MFC外电阻为1656Ω时,最大功率密度11.15 W/m3,电池运行稳定。混合污泥启动MFC以后,阳极生物膜微生物群落结构同种泥差异较大,且多样性降低。生物膜中微生物类群按丰度依次为β-变形菌纲(Betaproteobacteria)24.90%、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)21.30%、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)9.70%、γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria)8.50%、δ-变形菌纲(Deltaproteobacteria)7.90%、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)4.20%以及α-变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)3.60%。有利于生物膜形成与稳定的动胶菌属(Zoogloea)和不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)序列丰度分别占生物膜群落的5.00%和3.90%,与MFC产电能力直接相关的地杆菌属(Geobacter)序列由混合污泥中的0.60%上升至阳极生物膜中的2.60%。【结论】本研究表明,MFC阳极生物膜在驯化过程中对污泥中的微生物进行淘汰和选择,最终驯化形成了有利于生物膜形成与稳定、有机物厌氧发酵与产电的微生物菌群。     

微生物燃料电池阳极微生物群落对乳酸-丙酸-乳酸底物转换的响应特征

摘要:【目的】为探讨底物波动对微生物燃料电池(MFC)产电效能和阳极微生物群落的影响,【方法】依次以乳酸-丙酸-乳酸为底物,应用不依赖于培养的微生物分子生态学技术,解析单室MFC 启动及底物替换过程中阳极微生物群落的动态学响应特征。【结果】底物的更换过程降低了MFC的产电效能,当改变为新底物后,MFC需要较长的产电恢复期。同时,底物的转换改变了阳极微生物群落结构,Anaeromusa spp.、Pseudomonas spp．以及Thiobacillus thioparus对乳酸底物具有很好的响应,随着乳酸底物的投加而富集;丙酸底物对Dechloromonas spp.和Comamonas testosteroni等类群表现出较强的选择作用;而产电微生物Geobacter spp.由于利用乳酸、丙酸的共同代谢产物乙酸为底物而被逐渐富集,是多种底物替换过程的重叠种群。【结论】本研究表明,MFC的阳极微生物群落组成与投加的底物有较强的对应性,为了减缓底物波动对MFC产电过程的影响,应尽量采用混合有机底物,以提供宽泛的营养生态位,提高种群的功能重叠性。     

微嗜酸寡养单胞菌EFS1的产电性能及在污水处理中的应用

【背景】微生物燃料电池(Microbial Fuel Cell,MFC)作为一种新型的燃料电池资源,在产电的同时可应用于污水处理领域,达到资源最大化的目的。【目的】从MFC中分离获得一株可培养微生物,研究其产电特性及在污水处理中的微生物絮凝、重金属耐受、苯酚降解性能,为扩展产电菌资源库提供理论基础。【方法】利用WO_3纳米探针从MFC阳极中筛选获得一株具备产电和絮凝性能的菌株,命名为EFS1。运用循环伏安分析结合扫描电镜观测阳极电极;改变外电阻测定极化曲线和功率密度曲线。测定菌株的絮凝、重金属耐受及苯酚降解性能。【结果】经16S rRNA基因序列分析,结合形态学和生理生化鉴定菌株EFS1为微嗜酸寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila)。菌株EFS1具有稳定的产电周期,周期电压最高可达300m V,功率密度可达56.25m W/m~2;扫描电镜发现菌株存在直接接触电极及分泌电子中介体传递电子的方式;MFC内阻为1 000Ω左右。有氧条件下菌株的絮凝率可达到70%,存在电子受体的无氧环境中可达到80%;该菌株还具有良好的Cd~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Mn~(2+)耐受性及苯酚降解性能,在48 h、2–4 mg/L时苯酚降解率达到了100%。【结论】研究验证了产电菌EFS1具备絮凝能力、重金属耐受、苯酚降解的可能性,为产电菌的开发及污水处理方面提供理论依据。     

“共轭聚合物-产电菌”复合生物电极构建及其在微生物燃料电池中的应用

微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cell,MFC)作为一种生物电化学装置,在可再生能源生产和废水处理方面的巨大潜力已引起广泛关注。然而MFC面临输出功率低、欧姆内阻高以及启动时间长等问题,极大限制了其在实际工程中的应用。MFC中阳极是微生物附着的载体,对电子的产生及传递起着关键作用,开发优质的生物电极已发展成为改善MFC性能的有效途径。共轭聚合物具有成本低、电导率高、化学稳定性及生物相容性好等优点,利用共轭聚合物修饰生物电极结构,可以实现大比表面积、缩短电荷转移路径,从而实现高效生物电化学性能。同时,纳米级共轭聚合物包覆细菌,可以使细菌产生的电子有效地传递到电极。文中综述了最近报道的共轭聚合物在MFC中的应用,重点介绍了共轭聚合物修饰的MFC阳极,系统分析了共轭聚合物的优点及局限性,以及这些高效复合生物电极如何解决MFC应用中存在的低输出功率、高欧姆内阻及长启动时间等问题。     

一株土壤产电菌Clostridium sporogenes的分离及其产电性能

【目的】从土壤中分离获得产电菌纯菌株SE6,鉴定其种类并分析其产电性能。【方法】通过厌氧培养分离得到纯菌株,根据其形态、生理生化性质及16S r RNA基因测序分析确定其种属。以该菌株作为产电菌接种源,液体LB培养基和铁氰化钾溶液分别作为阳极液和阴极液,构建双室微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cells,MFCs),研究其产电能力;根据交流阻抗图谱,分析MFCs的内阻。应用循环伏安测试确定该菌株的胞外电子传递方式。并利用扫描电镜对阳极表面产电菌形态进行观察。【结果】菌株SE6的16S r RNA基因序列与Clostridium sporogenes有100%同源性,结合其形态特征和生理生化特性,确定其属于梭菌属(Clostridium)。SE6接种到MFCs中可以获得44.42 m W/m~2的最大功率密度。MFCs的阳极内阻、阴极内阻和欧姆内阻分别为(1488±193)Ω/cm~2、(0.92±0.01)Ω/cm~2和(20.69±1.76)Ω/cm~2。其循环伏安图谱显示体系中存在电化学活性物质且峰值电流随扫速升高线性增大。扫描电镜观察到阳极表面聚集附着着长度约1μm的杆菌。【结论】本研究成功从土壤中分离出具有一定产电能力的菌株C.sporogenes SE6,可直接将电子传递至阳极,其产电过程阻抗较大。     

矩形微生物燃料电池性能的分析

测试阳极液和阴极液的pH值和电导率的变化情况, 分析微生物燃料电池(MFC)的产电过程和能量利用情况, 为改善MFC的性能提供理论依据。试验结果表明: 随着MFC的运行, 阳极液的pH值和电导率呈现下降的趋势, 阴极液的pH值和电导率呈现上升的趋势, 阴极液的pH值比阳极液的pH值大约高0.30?0.50, 阳极液和阴极液的平均电导率变化不大。MFC稳定运行时, 欧姆内阻为29.69 Ω, 极限电流为2.69 mA, 最大输出功率约为0.8 mW, 对应的内阻约为95.72 Ω。铁氰化钾的质量传输是极限电流的限制性因素。能量分析发现, MFC阳极液中91.1%的葡萄糖被其他微生物消耗, 仅有8.9%的葡萄糖用来发电; 而用来发电的葡萄糖的88.5%的能量转化为其他形式的能量, 仅有11.5%的能量转化为电能。     

林冠受损对小坑林场土壤固碳微生物群落结构的影响

【目的】以典型南亚热带常绿阔叶林小坑林场土壤为研究对象,模拟2008年冰雪灾害对森林造成的损伤设置实验,分析不同林冠开度和凋落物输入量对土壤固碳微生物群落结构的影响。【方法】试验设置对照(CN)、损伤处理+移除处理枝叶(TR)、损伤处理+保留处理枝叶(TD)、未处理+添加处理枝叶(UD)4个处理,受损处理一年后,采用MiSeq高通量测序技术对土壤固碳微生物的功能基因cbbL进行测序分析。【结果】通过生物信息学及统计学分析表明,森林林冠损伤后林冠开度和凋落物输入量增加,导致土壤固碳微生物种群数量降低,多样性增加,群落结构也受到影响,亚硝化螺菌属(Nitrosospira)明显增加,成为优势种群,而原来的优势菌群慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)明显减少。主成分分析(PCA)表明,与对照相比,其他3个样地的土壤固碳微生物结构均发生明显改变。【结论】模拟林冠损伤处理一年后,凋落物的大量骤然输入和林冠开度增大提高了土壤固碳微生物群落多样性,但降低了其种群数量,影响了土壤固碳微生物群落结构,这为进一步的研究提供了依据。     

一株产电菌Nitratireductor sp. WJ5-4的筛选及产电分析

【目的】从生物垃圾燃料电池阳极淋洗液中分离一株产电菌WJ5-4,研究其产电特性。【方法】根据菌株的形态、生理生化性质及16S r RNA基因测序分析确定其种属,以该菌株为产电菌,以生物垃圾为底物,构建微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cell,MFC),研究在不同接种浓度和底物固含量条件下菌株的产电性能。【结果】菌株WJ5-4被初步鉴定属于Nitratireductor属,当接种量200 m L时可获得最大功率密度135.16 m W/m2、稳定电压370 m V和总有机碳(Total organic carbon,TOC)降解率41.46%。当底物固含量为23%时,可获得最大功率密度163.69 m W/m2、稳定电压434 m V和TOC降解率46.29%。【结论】WJ5-4菌能够利用较高固含量的生物垃圾产电,产电周期较长,为下一步微生物燃料电池处理生物垃圾提供科学依据。     

秸秆还田方式对东北水稻土理化性质及微生物群落的影响

【目的】研究秸秆还田方式对东北黑土理化性质及微生物群落的影响。【方法】试验周期为2019年12月至2021年10月,秸秆还田采用2种方式： 秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ(strawdirect return+microbial agent WJ;MD),秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ(straw compost return +microbial agent WJ;MC)。分析土壤肥力、酶活和微生物群落。【结果】分析两种方式土壤有机质(SOM)、腐殖酸(HS)和富里酸有机碳(FA-C)含量,发现秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ分别增加2.28g/kg、7.82g/kg和5.26g/kg。土壤铵态氮(NH4⁺-N)、速效磷(AP)略高于秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ,均在6月份达到峰值。胡敏酸有机碳(HA-C)含量下降。此外,土壤脲酶、转化酶、纤维素酶活性和碱性磷酸酶活性对比发现,秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ分别高8.55%、15.46%、4.35%和6.19%。高通量测序结果显示,秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ中细菌和真菌的多样性均比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ丰富。其中Anaerolinea、Bacteroidetes、Pseudomonas为优势细菌,Tausonia、Mrakia、Mrakiella为优势真菌。【结论】秸秆直接还田+微生物菌剂WJ比秸秆堆肥还田+微生物菌剂WJ更有利于土壤有机质、腐殖酸、土壤酶活性和微生物多样性的增加,这说明秸秆添加WJ菌剂直接还田可以减少有机养分的流失,保持田间土壤肥力。     

Carbon nanotube powders as electrode modifier to enhance the activity of anodic biofilm in microbial fuel cells

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a promising electrode material and has been used as an anode modifier in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, a new method of simultaneously adding CNT powders and Geobacter sulfurreducens into the anode chamber of a MFC was used, aiming to form a composite biofilm on the anode. The performance of MFCs such as startup time and steady-state power generation was investigated under conditions of different CNT powders dosages. Results showed that both the startup time and the anodic resistance were reduced. The optimal dosage of CNT powders pre-treated by acid was 4 mg/mL for the anode chamber with an effective volume of 25 mL. The anodic resistance and output voltage of the MFC with CNT powders addition were maintained around 180 Ω and 650 mV during 40 days operation, while those of the MFC without CNT powders addition increased from 250 Ω to 540 Ω and decreased from 630 mV to 540 mV, respectively, demonstrating that adding CNT powders helped stabilize the anodic resistance, thus the internal resistance and power generation during long-term operation. Based on cyclic voltammogram, the electrochemical activity of anodic biofilm was enhanced by adding CNT powders, though no significant increase of the biomass in anodic biofilm was detected by phospholipids analysis. There was no remarkable change of ohmic resistance with an addition of CNT powders revealed by current interrupt method, which indicated that the rate of mass transfer might be promoted by the presence of CNT powders.     

Iron phthalocyanine supported on amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube as an alternative cathodic oxygen catalyst in microbial fuel cells

Amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (a-MWCNT)-supported iron phthalocyanine (FePc) (a-MWCNT/FePc) has been investigated as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an air-cathode single-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC). Cyclic and linear sweep voltammogram are employed to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of the a-MWCNT/FePc for ORR. The maximum power density of 601 mW m⁻² is achieved from a MFC with the a-MWCNT/FePc cathode, which is the highest energy output compared to those MFCs with other materials supported FePc, such as carbon black, pristine MWCNT (p-MWCNT), carboxylic acid functionalized MWCNT (c-MWCNT), and even with a Pt/C cathode. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry performed on the a-MWCNT/FePc electrode suggests that the a-MWCNT/FePc has an electrochemical activity for ORR via a four-electron pathway in a neutral pH solution. This work provides a potential alternative to Pt in MFCs for sustainable energy generation.     

Electricity generation from real industrial wastewater using a single-chamber air cathode microbial fuel cell with an activated carbon anode

This study introduces activated carbon (AC) as an effective anode for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using real industrial wastewater without treatment or addition of external microorganism mediators. Inexpensive activated carbon is introduced as a proper electrode alternative to carbon cloth and carbon paper materials, which are considered too expensive for the large-scale application of MFCs. AC has a porous interconnected structure with a high bio-available surface area. The large surface area, in addition to the high macro porosity, facilitates the high performance by reducing electron transfer resistance. Extensive characterization, including surface morphology, material chemistry, surface area, mechanical strength and biofilm adhesion, was conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the AC material as an anode in MFCs. The electrochemical performance of AC was also compared to other anodes, i.e., Teflon-treated carbon cloth (CCT), Teflon-treated carbon paper (CPT), untreated carbon cloth (CC) and untreated carbon paper (CP). Initial tests of a single air-cathode MFC display a current density of 1792 mAm⁻², which is approximately four times greater than the maximum value of the other anode materials. COD analyses and Coulombic efficiency (CE) measurements for AC-MFC show the greatest removal of organic compounds and the highest CE efficiency (60 and 71%, respectively). Overall, this study shows a new economical technique for power generation from real industrial wastewater with no treatment and using inexpensive electrode materials.

     

Layer-by-layer construction of graphene-based microbial fuel cell for improved power generation and methyl orange removal

Development of highly efficient anode is critical for enhancing the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The aim of this work is to investigate whether modification of carbon paper (CP) anode with graphene (GR) via layer-by-layer assembly technique is an effective approach to promote the electricity generation and methyl orange removal in MFCs. Using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the GR/CP electrode exhibited better electrochemical behavior. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the surface roughness of GR/CP increased, which was favorable for more bacteria to attach to the anode surface. The MFCs equipped with GR/CP anode achieved a stable maximum power density of 368 mW m^?2 under 1,000 Ω external resistance and a start time for the initial maximum voltage of 180 h, which were, respectively, 51 % higher and 31 % shorter than the corresponding values of the MFCs with blank anode. The anode and cathode polarization curves revealed negligible difference in cathode potentials but obviously difference in anode potentials, indicating that the GR-modified anode other than the cathode was responsible for the performance improvement of MFC. Meanwhile, compared with MFCs with blank anode, 11 % higher decolorization efficiency and 16 % higher the chemical oxygen demand removal rate were achieved in MFC with GR-modified anode during electricity generation. This study might provide an effective way to modify the anode for enhanced electricity generation and efficient removal of azo dye in MFCs.     

Evaluation of procedures to acclimate a microbial fuel cell for electricity production

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a relatively new type of fixed film bioreactor for wastewater treatment, and the most effective methods for inoculation are not well understood. Various techniques to enrich electrochemically active bacteria on an electrode were therefore studied using anaerobic sewage sludge in a two-chambered MFC. With a porous carbon paper anode electrode, 8 mW/m² of power was generated within 50 h with a Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 40%. When an iron oxide-coated electrode was used, the power and the CE reached 30 mW/m² and 80%, respectively. A methanogen inhibitor (2-bromoethanesulfonate) increased the CE to 70%. Bacteria in sludge were enriched by serial transfer using a ferric iron medium, but when this enrichment was used in a MFC the power was lower (2 mW/m²) than that obtained with the original inoculum. By applying biofilm scraped from the anode of a working MFC to a new anode electrode, the maximum power was increased to 40 mW/m². When a second anode was introduced into an operating MFC the acclimation time was not reduced and the total power did not increase. These results suggest that these active inoculating techniques could increase the effectiveness of enrichment, and that start up is most successful when the biofilm is harvested from the anode of an existing MFC and applied to the new anode.     

Bioelectricity production from wastewater treatment in dual chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) using selectively enriched mixed microflora: Effect of catholyte

The performance of aerated and ferricyanide catholytes on the bioelectricity production was evaluated in dual chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) (mediatroless anode; graphite electrodes) employing selectively enriched H(2) producing mixed consortia as anodic inoculum. Two MFCs with aerated catholyte (MFC(AC)) and ferricyanide catholyte (MFC(FC)) were operated separately to elucidate the difference in power generation potential and carbon removal efficiency under similar operating conditions [ambient pressure; room temperature (28+/-2 degrees C); acidophilic microenvironment (pH 6)]. The experimental data demonstrated the feasibility of in situ bioelectricity generation along with wastewater treatment. Effective power generation and substrate removal efficiency was documented in the fuel cell operated with ferricyanide catholyte (586 mV; 2.37 mA; 0.559 kg COD/m(3) day) than aerated catholyte (572 mV; 1.68 mA; 0.464 kg COD/m(3) day). Maximum power yield (0.635 W/kg COD(R) and 0.440 W/kg COD(R)) and current density (222.59 mA/m(2) and 190.28 mA/m(2)) was observed at 100 Omega resistor with ferricyanide and aerated catholytes, respectively. The study documented both wastewater treatment and electricity production through direct conversion of H(2) in a single system.     

A cyclodextrin host-guest recognition approach to an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous quantification of serotonin and dopamine

An electrochemical sensor for simultaneous quantification of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and dopamine (DA) using a β-cyclodextrin/poly(N-acetylaniline)/carbon nanotube composite modified carbon paste electrode has been developed. Synergistic effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in addition to the pre-concentrating effect of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as well as its different inclusion complex stability with 5-HT and DA was used to construct an electrochemical sensor for quantification of these important neurotransmitters. The overlapping anodic peaks of 5-HT and DA at 428 mV on bare electrode resolved in two well-defined voltammetric peaks at 202 and 363 mV vs. Ag/AgCl respectively. The oxidation mechanism of 5-HT and DA on the surface of the electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and it was found that the electrode processes are pH dependent and electrochemical oxidation of 5-HT is totally irreversible while the electrode gave a more reversible process to DA. Under optimized conditions, linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of about 4-200 μM with a detection limits down to sub-μM levels (S/N=3) after 20-s accumulation, for both. The proposed sensor was shown to be remarkably selective for 5-HT and DA in matrices containing different species including ascorbic acid and uric acid. The suitability of the developed method was tested for the determination of 5-HT and DA in the Randox Synthetic Plasma samples and acceptable recoveries were obtained for a set of spiked samples.     

Evaluation and enhanced operational performance of microbial fuel cells under alternating anodic open circuit and closed circuit modes with different substrates

The present study evaluates the performance of air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) under alternating open circuit/closed circuit (OC/CC) modes and its effect on independent-electrode and full-cell potentials, power output (at different external resistances) and the polarization behaviour of the electrodes. Three different types of feeds were evaluated using this approach: (1) phosphorus buffer solution (PBS) with acetate as carbon source, (2) glucose-rich synthetic wastewater, and (3) sewage from wastewater treatment plant enriched with fermented molasses. When MFCs were suddenly switched to CC from OC and then again back to OC from CC, the behaviour of the anodes vs reference electrode (Ag/AgCl, 3 M KCl) was monitored. When electric circuit of the MFCs was switched from open to closed circuit, for all cases: (a) the anode potential-shift (vs Ag/AgCl) reallocated in the positive direction in about 200–400 mV, (b) the air-cathode potential-shift (vs Ag/AgCl) reallocated in the negative direction in about 10–25 mV, and (c) the cell-potential difference started at around 0 mV and progressively increased as the MFC reached stability. This behaviour was consistently reproduced during different OC/CC cycles. The systems studied delivered good performance with both controlled media and industrial wastewater. Additionally, this study provides insightful characterization of the independent-electrode behaviours.     

Continuous flowing membraneless microbial fuel cells with separated electrode chambers

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an emerging technology in the energy and environment field. Its application is limited due to its high cost caused by the utilization of membranes and noble metal catalysts. In this paper, a membraneless MFC, with separated electrode chambers, was designed. The two separated chambers are connected via a channel and the continuous electrolyte flow from anode to cathode drives proton transfer. The proton mass transfer coefficiency in this MFC is 0.9086 cm/s, which is higher than reported MFCs with membranes, such as J-cloth and glass fiber. The maximum output voltage is 160.7 mV, with 1000 Ω resistor. Its peak power density is 24.33 mW/m3. SCOD removal efficiency can reach 90.45% via this MFC. If the connection between the two electrode chambers is blocked, the performance of MFC will decrease severely. All the above results prove the feasibility and advantages of this special MFC model.