HiBriCarbon · Mixed Biotic and abiotic functionalysed electrodes for Plant Microbial Fuel Cells applications
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-09-03 → 2020-09-02
- EU contribution
- €175,866
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Mixed Biotic and abiotic functionalysed electrodes for Plant Microbial Fuel Cells applications
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are promising electrochemical devices that can produce electricity generated by active microorganisms present in wastewater. The reactions at anode of MFCs can be catalysed by microbial biofilms capable of oxidizing organic matter (anode) whereas non-precious carbon soot-based powders are able to catalyze oxygen reduction (ORR) (cathode) producing electrical power from renewable resources. However, MFC power output to date remains low and often unpredictable due to the variability in activity achieved by the anodic microbial biofilms and from low catalytic properties of carbon soot-based powders at the cathode. Proper biofilm colonization at the anode and non-expensive catalyst at the cathode can allow the scale up of MFC and can introduce it as a real alternative green energy production, a Horizon2020 research priority, that is based on wastewater treatment process without external energy sources. Surface grafting with composites based on polyaniline/carbon allotropes demonstrates electron transfer promotion and better adhesion between biofilm and surface. Functionalization using aryldiazonium salts bearing a variety of functions can react under mild conditions via spontaneous or electrochemically assisted reactions from solution, yielding covalently attached moieties on carbons. This project developed a new approach towards MFC anodic catalysis though the introduction of surfaces that promoted the desirable bacteria recruitment through the grafting of aryl diazonium based saccharides. The MFC cathodic catalysis was performed with a porous structure obtained with commercial carbon templates and hydrothermal method to produce highly active catalytic centers without the use of precious metal (Platinum). To avoid cathodic catalyst degradation, the antifouling properties of 4-aminophenol-O-b-D-galactopyranosyl(14)-β-D-glucopyranoside (Lac) were explored by grafting the realized cathodic catalyst with a Lac coating. The performed tasks allowed to achieve the overall objective of the project: the realization of non-toxic protocol to address exoelectrogenic community over the MFC anodes and the production of durable and non-expensive cathodic catalyst to increase MFC power outputs with a totally ecofriendly approach.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFC) are promising electrochemical devices that can produce electricity generated by active microorganisms present in plant soil. The reactions at both anode and cathode of PMFCs can be catalysed by microbial biofilms capable of oxidising organic matter (anode) and catalysing oxygen reduction (ORR) (cathode) producing electrical power from renewable resources. However, PMFC power output to date remains low and often unpredictable due to the variability in activity achieved by the electrodes microbial biofilms. Their selection in both anode and cathode is a fundamental requirement to enhance catalytic activity and produce higher power densities. This proposal aims at developing a conceptually new approach towards PMFC catalysis though the introduction of novel nanocomposite carbon electrodes that will combine intrinsic and microbially-mediated catalytic activity. These functional materials will integrate moieties that promote bacterial recruitment to select suitable microbial consortia onto carbon based electrodes for both anodic and cathodic reactions. In the case of the cathode, the carbon material will be selected by using electrochemical methods ex situ (voltammetry) in simulated aqueous environment in the presence of fertilizers and soil to also display ORR catalytic activity. Anode and cathode topography will be investigated to identify nanostructures that promote biofilm colonisation and to control density and stability of active sites. The best electrode materials will be modified with carbohydrates and peptides that promote cell adhesion to only recruit electroactive bacterial consortia. This project combines my expertise in carbon synthesis and microbial fuel cell devices with expertise in biofilm control and carbon material characterization of the host laboratory. New training in characterization of electroactive biofilms will be provided by a secondment through a cross – European collaboration at University of Rennes1
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union