Effect of electrode surface properties on enhanced electron transfer activity in microbial fuel cells

The influence of electrode surface chemistry over biofilm growth was evaluated for photo‐bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell. A consortium of photosynthetic bacteria was grown onto different electrodes designed with polyethylenimine (PEI) and multiwall carbon nanotubes as hydrophilic and hydrophobic modif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Engineering in life sciences 2017-02, Vol.17 (2), p.186-192
Main Authors: Choudhury, Abhinav, Barbora, Lepakshi, Arya, Divyanshu, Lal, Banwari, Subudhi, Sanjukta, Mohan, S. Venkata, Ahammad, Shaikh Z., Verma, Anil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilm
Carbon paper
Cyclic voltammetry
Multiwall carbon nanotubes
Polyethylenimine
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Summary:The influence of electrode surface chemistry over biofilm growth was evaluated for photo‐bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell. A consortium of photosynthetic bacteria was grown onto different electrodes designed with polyethylenimine (PEI) and multiwall carbon nanotubes as hydrophilic and hydrophobic modifier, respectively. The designed electrodes were loaded with 0.08, 0.17, and 0.33 μg/cm2 of PEI to change the hydrophilicity. However, 0.56, 0.72, and 0.83 mg/cm2 of multiwall carbon nanotubes were used to alter the hydrophobicity of the electrodes. The surface chemistry of electrode and bio‐interaction was evaluated as a function of contact angle and biofilm formation. The results were compared with those obtained with a carbon paper electrode. The contact angle on the untreated electrode (carbon paper) was 118°, whereas for hydrophobic and hydrophilic electrodes, the maximum and minimum contact angles were 170° and 0°, respectively. Interestingly, the maximum biofilm growth (0.2275 g, wet basis) was observed on highly hydrophobic surface; however, the maximum electrochemical performance (246 mV) was shown by the most hydrophilic electrode surface. PEI‐based electrode with good biofilm formation showed comparatively higher electrogenic activity.
ISSN:1618-0240
1618-2863
DOI:10.1002/elsc.201600063