纳米材料修饰微生物燃料电池阳极的研究进展

阳极作为微生物燃料电池中的重要组成部分,其性能的高低显著影响着微生物燃料电池的产电性能。纳米材料具有导电性好、表面积大等优良特性。因此,纳米材料修饰阳极能够有效减小电极内阻、增大微生物的粘附量,从而显著提高微生物燃料电池的产电性能。本文首先简要介绍了微生物燃料电池中阳极修饰纳米材料的种类,然后重点归纳了不同纳米材料修饰阳极对微生物燃料电池产电性能的影响及其原因。最后对微生物燃料电池阳极修饰纳米材料和技术进行展望。     

多壁碳纳米管固定化生物酶修饰电极检测杂色曲霉素的初步研究

色曲霉素（ST）是一种致癌致畸的真菌毒素,已报道的检测ST的技术有TLC、HPLC、ELISA以及毒素基因的PCR检测技术。初步探索了酶生物传感器三电极系统对ST的电化学分析。在实验中,应用多壁碳纳米管作为分子识别元件ADTZ的固定化基质和传感器的电子传递体构建了Au工作电极,对ST进行CV和DPV分析,结果表明：ST在-600mＶ位置有一明显的特征还原峰电位,线性检测范围是8.32×10^-5～6656×10^-5mg/mL,检测下限为8.32×10^-5mg/mL,响应时间10s,为进一步的研究打下良好的基础。     

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。     

多壁碳纳米管对水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生的影响

探究多壁碳纳米管在水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生中的作用，以期为濒危蕨类植物的保护和繁育奠定基础。以蕨类模式植物水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)为供试材料，设置0(对照)、0.5、1.0、2.5、5.0 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管5个处理组，采用光学显微镜观察不同质量浓度多壁碳纳米管对水蕨配子体发育及孢子体产生的影响。结果显示：与对照组相比，0.5～2.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管处理可使水蕨孢子萌发提前约15 d，其中，0.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对水蕨孢子萌发的促进效果最好，0.5～1.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对丝状体和片状体产生的促进效果最好，2.5 mg·L^-1多壁碳纳米管对原叶体和孢子体产生的促进效果最好。高质量浓度(5.0 mg·L^-1)多壁碳纳米管处理会导致部分配子体出现畸形，精子器退化，细胞中叶绿体出现失绿现象，部分发育出的孢子体上的细胞也出现叶绿体失绿等衰退现象。此外，多壁碳纳米管的加入促进了水蕨雄配子体的产...     

太阳能电池协同微生物燃料电池产电及对底泥的修复影响

装置以河道黑臭底泥为底物, 改性后的碳毡为电极, 通过外接不同额定电压的太阳能电池板, 构建了一种新型的SC-MFC (solar cell-microbial fuel cell) 体系, 太阳能电池的引入对普通MFC 产电性能及底泥污染物去除效率产生了的影响。通过一个周期的运行, 得到如下结论: 在太阳能电池表面辐照强度53 mW·cm^–2 的条件下, SC-MFC 系统的最大输出电压和输出功率密度与普通的MFC 相比均有明显的提高。对于底泥污染物的去除, SC-MFC 系统随着串联太阳能电池额定电压的增大, 去除效率呈现出先升高后降低的趋势。在外接0.5 V、1 V、2 V 太阳能电池时, 底泥对污染物修复效果较好, 并且底泥中有机质、总磷、氨氮、硝态氮的最大去除率为20.88%、32.39%、48.41%、62.66%, 它们分别在串联1 V、2 V、2 V、0.5 V 太阳能电池板时达到。     

pH值对微生物燃料电池处理生物废弃物的影响

以生物废弃物为底物,采用双室微生物燃料电池对生物废弃物进行处理,研究阳极液初始pH值对生物废弃物CODcr、TOC去除率的影响,以及对微生物燃料电池产电性能影响。实验结果表明,当阳极液pH值为6时,CODcr去除率达72.1%,TOC的去除率达44.5%,其输出电压最大为1.27 V,平均电压797 mV,最大功率密度达到136.6 mW/m2。     

沉积型海底微生物燃料电池构建及其影响因素研究

海底微生物燃料电池具有底物丰富、可长期运行、维护成本低和环境友好等特点,具有很好的研究价值和广阔的发展前景。但由于其低的功率密度输出和长期运行的不稳定性,使海底微生物燃料电池尚未得到广泛地实际应用。选取海底沉积泥用于实验室构建的海底微生物燃料电池装置中,比较了在不同阳极材料、阴阳极面积比、阳极修饰、阳极泥下深度条件下海底微生物燃料电池的功率密度输出及其电化学性能,得出最佳的海底微生物燃料电池阳极材料为碳毡;阴极及电极最佳面积比为1∶1;最佳阳极修饰为氨水浸渍;最佳阳极泥下深度为2 cm。     

驯化对生物阴极微生物燃料电池中阴极微生物群落多样性的影响

【背景】生物阴极微生物燃料电池因其构造成本低和阴极可持续性发展的优点而成为一种很有前途的废水处理系统,但阴极微生物的氧化还原性能限制了其在实际应用中的推广。【目的】为了提高生物阴极的性能,需要深入了解影响阴极氧化还原性能的微生物群落。【方法】利用16S rRNA基因高通量测序技术分析对比原始接种污泥样品和驯化后阴极电极上生物膜样品多样性及结构变化。【结果】测序结果表明,原始接种污泥样品与驯化后阴极电极生物膜样品中微生物群落种类和结构存在显著差异,驯化后阴极电极生物膜样品中变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria)和特吕珀菌属(Trueperaceae)相对丰度比例高于原始污泥样品,成为优势菌群。【结论】驯化对系统阴极电极生物膜群落影响显著,随着产电量的输出,优势菌群不断富集,最终形成一个适应该实验环境下的新的微生物群落。对优势菌群结构和变化进行探讨,为生物阴极的研究补充更多生物学方面的理论基础。     

产电菌群及电子受体对微生物燃料电池性能的影响

采用2种类型的微生物燃料电池--常规微生物燃料电池(S-MFCs,以生活污水作为产电菌群接种源、以硝酸盐作为电子受体）和改进后的微生物燃料电池（A-MFCs,以厌氧发酵液作为产电菌群接种源、以铁氰化物作为电子受体）,分析了产电菌群和电子受体的改进对微生物燃料电池产电性能的影响.结果表明：产电菌群和电子受体对MFCs驯化周期和运行周期具有显著影响,使驯化周期由S-MFCs的500 h缩短到A-MFCs的430 h,运行周期由S-MFCs的100 h增加到A-MFCs的350 h;改进后的微生物燃料电池使COD去除率提升了25%,使电压输出提高了约300%.选择合适的产电菌菌种和电子受体标准电极电势是微生物燃料电池性能提升的基础.     

微生物燃料电池对污染物的强化降解及其机理综述

产电和污染物降解是微生物燃料电池(Microbial Fuel Cells,MFCs)的两个基本功能,也是MFCs作为一种新型的环境治理和能源技术最具吸引力的优势。大量的研究已表明:相对于一般厌氧生物降解技术,MFCs具有更高效的废弃物、废水或污染物降解的能力。解析MFCs强化污染物降解的机理对于进一步优化MFCs的性能具有重要的指导意义,也可以为MFCs在实际环境中的原位应用提供理论支持。本文在综述MFCs强化污染物降解研究报道的基础上,从MFCs中微生物群落的代谢模式、生物膜的活性以及MFCs对局部氧化还原环境的影响等方面为MFCs强化污染物降解的功能提供可能的理论依据,并对MFCs在污染物降解方面的几个可能的发展方向进行展望,为不同学科背景的相关研究者提供参考。     

Improved performance of membrane free single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells with nitric acid and ethylenediamine surface modified activated carbon fiber felt anodes

Surface modifications of anode materials are important for enhancing power generation of microbial fuel cell (MFC). Membrane free single-chamber air-cathode MFCs, MFC-A and MFC-N, were constructed using activated carbon fiber felt (ACF) anodes treated by nitric acid and ethylenediamine (EDA), respectively. Experimental results showed that the start-up time to achieve the maximum voltages for the MFC-A and MFC-N was shortened by 45% and 51%, respectively as compared to that for MFC-AT equipped with an unmodified anode. Moreover, the power output of MFCs with modified anodes was significantly improved. In comparison with MFC-AT which had a maximum power density of 1304 mW/m², the MFC-N achieved a maximum power density of 1641 mW/m². The nitric acid-treated anode in MFC-A increased the power density by 58% reaching 2066 mW/m². XPS analysis of the treated and untreated anode materials indicated that the power enhancement was attributable to the changes of surface functional groups.     

Effect of nitrogen addition on the performance of microbial fuel cell anodes

Carbon cloth anodes were modified with 4(N,N-dimethylamino)benzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate to increase nitrogen-containing functional groups at the anode surface in order to test whether the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) could be improved by controllably modifying the anode surface chemistry. Anodes with the lowest extent of functionalization, based on a nitrogen/carbon ratio of 0.7 as measured by XPS, achieved the highest power density of 938 mW/m². This power density was 24% greater than an untreated anode, and similar to that obtained with an ammonia gas treatment previously shown to increase power. Increasing the nitrogen/carbon ratio to 3.8, however, decreased the power density to 707 mW/m². These results demonstrate that a small amount of nitrogen functionalization on the carbon cloth material is sufficient to enhance MFC performance, likely as a result of promoting bacterial adhesion to the surface without adversely affecting microbial viability or electron transfer to the surface.     

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.     

Effect of external resistance on bacterial diversity and metabolism in cellulose-fed microbial fuel cells

External resistance affects the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) by controlling the flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of external resistance on bacterial diversity and metabolism in MFCs. Four external resistances (20, 249, 480, and 1000 Ω) were tested by operating parallel MFCs independently at constant circuit loads for 10 weeks. A maximum power density of 66 mW m⁻² was achieved by the 20 Ω MFCs, while the MFCs with 249, 480, and 1000 Ω external resistances produced 57.5, 27, and 47 mW m⁻², respectively. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of partial 16S rRNA genes showed clear differences between the planktonic and anode-attached populations at various external resistances. Concentrations of short chain fatty acids were higher in MFCs with larger circuit loads, suggesting that fermentative metabolism dominated over anaerobic respiration using the anode as the final electron acceptor.     

Effect of fiber diameter on the behavior of biofilm and anodic performance of fiber electrodes in microbial fuel cells

A series of fiber electrodes with fiber diameters ranging from about 10 to 0.1 μm were tested as anodes in microbial fuel cells to study the effect of fiber diameter on the behavior of biofilm and anodic performance of fiber electrodes. A simple method of biofilm fixation and dehydration was developed for biofilm morphology characterization. Results showed that the current density of fiber anodes increased until the fiber diameter approached 1 μm which was about the length of the dominant microorganisms in biofilm. The highest current density was 3.08 mA cm(-2), which was obtained from fiber anode with high porosity of over 99% and fiber diameter of 0.87 μm. It was believed that the high current density was attributed to the high porosity, as well as proper fiber diameter which ensured formation of thick and continuous solid biofilms.     

Development,validation and enzyme kinetic evaluation of multi walled carbon nano tubes mediated tyrosinase based electrochemical biosensing platform for the voltammetric monitoring of epinephrine

Epinephrine (EP) is one of the key neurotransmitter, which plays a vital role in the central nervous system. Current research report designates the development of biosensor based on the modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with multi walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) followed by drop casting of Tyrosinase (Ty) enzyme (Ty/MWCNTs/GCE) towards the sensitive monitoring of EP. The electrochemical behavior of EP at Ty/MWCNTs/GCE biosensor was examined and the redox mechanism was proposed. The developed Ty/MWCNTs/GCE was characterized by electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and tafel plot studies. The influence of pH of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) on the electrochemical redox behavior of EP was observed and pH-7.0 was identified as optimal pH value. The electrochemical kinetic parameters such as heterogeneous rate constant, diffusion coefficient and charge transfer coefficient values were evaluated. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values were evaluated. The low apparent Michaelis – Menten constant (K_m^app) was determined as 0.159 mM, demonstrating the immense catalytic activity of Ty enzyme. Repeatable, reproducible and stable nature of the fabricated Ty/MWCNTs/GCE was successfully examined. Finally, the developed biosensor was tested for the practical application in quantification of EP in human serum samples.     

Effect of different substrates on the performance,bacterial diversity,and bacterial viability in microbial fuel cells

Four microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were inoculated with anaerobic sludge and fed four different substrates for over one year. The Coulombic efficiency (CE) and power output varied with different substrates, while the bacterial viability was similar. Acetate fed-MFC showed the highest CE (72.3%), followed by butyrate (43.0%), propionate (36.0%) and glucose (15.0%). Glucose resulted in the lowest CE because of its fermentable nature implying its consumption by diverse non-electricity-generating bacteria. 16S rDNA sequencing results indicated phylogenetic diversity in the communities of all anode biofilms, and there was no single dominant bacterial species. A relative abundance of β-Proteobacteria but an absence of γ-Proteobacteria was observed in all MFCs except for propionate-fed system in which Firmicutes dominating. The glucose-fed-MFC showed the widest community diversity, resulting in the rapid generation of current without lag time when different substrates were suddenly fed. Geobacter-like species with the most representative Geobactersulfurreducens PCA^T were integral members of the bacterial community in all MFCs except for the propionate-fed system.     

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.     

Use of inexpensive semicoke and activated carbon as biocathode in microbial fuel cells

In this study, two inexpensive semicoke and activated carbon packed bed biocathode were developed for oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). These two materials were compared with two commonly used biocathode materials graphite and carbon felt in terms of material characteristic, power density, biomass density and price-performance ratio. MFCs with semicoke and activated carbon biocathode produced a maximum power density of 20.1 W/m3 (normalized liquid volume in cathodic compartment) and 24.3 W/m3, respectively, compared to 14.1 and 17.1 W/m3 obtained by MFCs with graphite and carbon felt biocathode, respectively. The bacteria attached on biocathode played a major role in oxygen reduction for all the materials investigated. The material cost per Watt produced for semicoke and activated carbon biocathode is only 2.8% and 22.7% of that for graphite biocathode, respectively. These two inexpensive carbon materials, especially semicoke, are very cost-effective biocathode materials for future large scale MFCs.     

Time-course correlation of biofilm properties and electrochemical performance in single-chamber microbial fuel cells

The relationship between anode microbial characteristics and electrochemical parameters in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was analyzed by time-course sampling of parallel single-bottle MFCs operated under identical conditions. While voltage stabilized within 4 days, anode biofilms continued growing during the six-week operation. Viable cell density increased asymptotically, but membrane-compromised cells accumulated steadily from only 9% of total cells on day 3 to 52% at 6 weeks. Electrochemical performance followed the viable cell trend, with a positive correlation for power density and an inverse correlation for anode charge transfer resistance. The biofilm architecture shifted from rod-shaped, dispersed cells to more filamentous structures, with the continuous detection of Geobacter sulfurreducens-like 16S rRNA fragments throughout operation and the emergence of a community member related to a known phenazine-producing Pseudomonas species. A drop in cathode open circuit potential between weeks two and three suggested that uncontrolled biofilm growth on the cathode deleteriously affects system performance.