Open AccessEffect of electrode surface properties on enhanced electron transfer activity in microbial fuel cells
Author(s) -
Choudhury Abhinav,
Barbora Lepakshi,
Arya Divyanshu,
Lal Banwari,
Subudhi Sanjukta,
Mohan S. Venkata,
Ahammad Shaikh Z.,
Verma Anil
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.201600063
Subject(s) - electrode , contact angle , polyethylenimine , electrochemistry , chemical engineering , microbial fuel cell , biofilm , carbon nanotube , materials science , electron transfer , carbon fibers , chemistry , nanotechnology , bacteria , composite material , organic chemistry , biochemistry , composite number , transfection , genetics , anode , biology , engineering , gene
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/cm 2 of PEI to change the hydrophilicity. However, 0.56, 0.72, and 0.83 mg/cm 2 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.