Untreated vs. Treated Carbon Felt Anodes: Impacts on Power Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells.

This research sought to enhance the efficiency and biocompatibility of anodes in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs), with an aim toward large-scale, real-world applications. The study focused on the effects of acid-heat treatment and chemical modification of three-dimensional porous pristine carbon felt (CF) on power generation. Different treatments were applied to the pristine CF, including coating with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) dispersed using dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant and biopolymer chitosan (CS).

Influence of Hydrodynamic Forces on Electroactive Bacterial Adhesion in Microbial Fuel Cell Anodes.

This investigation examined the role of shear stress on the dynamic development of microbial communities within anodic biofilms in single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Bacterial attachment to surfaces, often regarded as a crucial step in biofilm formation, may significantly contribute to the selection of electroactive bacteria (EAB). It is well established that hydrodynamic forces, particularly shear forces, have a profound influence on bacterial adhesion.

Selective Sensing in Microbial Fuel Cell Biosensors: Insights from Toxicity-Adapted and Non-Adapted Biofilms for Pb(II) and Neomycin Sulfate Detection.

This study introduces the utilization of self-powered microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensors for the detection of biotoxicity in wastewater. Current MFC-based biosensors lack specificity in distinguishing between different pollutants. To address this limitation, a novel approach is introduced, capitalizing on the adaptive capabilities of anodic biofilms.

Metaproteomic and Metagenomic-Coupled Approach to Investigate Microbial Response to Electrochemical Conditions in Microbial Fuel Cells.

MFCs represent a promising sustainable biotechnology that enables the direct conversion of organic matter from wastewater into electricity using bacterial biofilms as biocatalysts. A crucial aspect of MFCs is how electroactive bacteria (EAB) behave and their associated mechanisms during extracellular electron transfer to the anode. A critical phase in the MFC start-up process is the initial colonization of the anode by EAB.

Influence of shear stress on electroactive biofilm characteristics and performance in microbial fuel cells.

This study has provided comprehensive insights into the intricate relationship between shear stress and the development, structure, and functionality of electroactive biofilms in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). A multichannel microfluidic MFC reactors that created specific shear stress on the anode, were designed for the simultaneous study of multiple flow conditions using the same medium. Then, the evolution of the biofilm growth under different shear stress conditions (1, 5 and 10 mPa) were compared.

Cedar Wood-Based Biochar: Properties, Characterization, and Applications as Anodes in Microbial Fuel Cell.

In this study, the relationship between pyrolysis temperature of woody biomass and physicochemical properties of derived biochar was investigated for microbial fuel cell (MFC) application. Physical and chemical properties of biochar were characterized for different pyrolysis temperatures. Results showed that biochar obtained at 400 °C was not conductor, while biochars prepared at 600 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C exhibited decreased electrical resistivity of (7 ± 6) × 10 Ω.

A membrane-less Glucose/O non-enzymatic fuel cell based on bimetallic Pd-Au nanostructure anode and air-breathing cathode: Towards micro-power applications at neutral pH.

Herein, the authors propose a miniaturized glucose/O n-EFC based on a new direct electron transfer. The anode is a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs) and cauliflower-like PdAu nanostructures (PdAuNS). The PdAuNS/f-CNT biomimetic nanocatalyst was prepared using a cost-effective and straightforward method, which consisted of drop-casting well-dispersed f-CNTs over the SPCE surface before PdAuNS electrodeposition.

Effect of Contact Area and Shape of Anode Current Collectors on Bacterial Community Structure in Microbial Fuel Cells.

Low electrical conductivity of carbon materials is a source of potential loss for large carbonaceous electrode surfaces of MFCs due to the long distance traveled by electrons to the collector. In this paper, different configurations of titanium current collectors were used to connect large surfaces of carbon cloth anodes. The current collectors had different distances and contact areas to the anode.

Nanoporous Cauliflower-like Pd-Loaded Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes as an Enzyme-Free Electrocatalyst for Glucose Sensing at Neutral pH: Mechanism Study.

In this work, we propose a novel functionalized carbon nanotube (f-CNT) supporting nanoporous cauliflower-like Pd nanostructures (PdNS) as an enzyme-free interface for glucose electrooxidation reaction (GOR) in a neutral medium (pH 7.4). The novelty resides in preparing the PdNS/f-CNT biomimetic nanocatalyst using a cost-effective and straightforward method, which consists of drop-casting well-dispersed f-CNTs over the Screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) surface, followed by the electrodeposition of PdNS.

Carbon Nano-Fiber/PDMS Composite Used as Corrosion-Resistant Coating for Copper Anodes in Microbial Fuel Cells.

The development of high-performance anode materials is one of the greatest challenges for the practical implementation of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Copper (Cu) has a much higher electrical conductivity than carbon-based materials usually used as anodes in MFCs. However, it is an unsuitable anode material, in raw state, for MFC application due to its corrosion and its toxicity to microorganisms.

Galvano-Fenton Engineering Solution with Spontaneous Catalyst's Generation from Waste: Experimental Efficiency, Parametric Analysis and Modeling Interpretation Applied to a Clean Technology for Dyes Degradation in Water.

In this paper, the degradation of the diazo dye naphthol blue black (NBB) using the Galvano-Fenton process is studied experimentally and numerically. The simulations are carried out based on the anodic, cathodic, and 34 elementary reactions evolving in the electrolyte, in addition to the oxidative attack of NBB by HO• at a constant rate of 3.35×107 mol-1·m3·s-1 during the initiation stage of the chain reactions.

A Novel Energy-from-Waste Approach for Electrical Energy Production by Galvano-Fenton Process.

A novel approach allowing the production of electrical energy by an advanced oxidation process is proposed to eliminate organic micropollutants (MPs) in wastewaters. This approach is based on associating the Galvano-Fenton process to the generation of electrical power. In the previous studies describing the Galvano-Fenton (GF) process, iron was directly coupled to a metal of more positive potential to ensure degradation of organic pollutants without any possibility of producing electrical energy.

Microbial fuel cell anodic microbial population dynamics during MFC start-up.

In order to optimize energy production in MFCs, a better understanding of anodic communities is essential. Our objective was to determine the taxonomic structure of the bacterial communities present at the surface of the anode during the formation and development of electro-active biofilms in MFCs inoculated with fresh primary clarifier overflow. Quantitative microbial community dynamics were evaluated as a function of time and electrical performance using 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic microarrays and flow cytometry.

Magnetic nanoparticle DNA labeling for individual bacterial cell detection and recovery.

A culture independent approach was developed for recovering individual bacterial cells out of communities from complex environments including soils and sediments where autofluorescent contaminants hinder the use of fluorescence based techniques. For that purpose fifty nanometer sized streptavidin-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles were used to chemically bond biotin-functionalized plasmid DNA molecules. We show that micromagnets can efficiently trap magnetically labeled transformed Escherichia coli cells after these bacteria were subjected to electro-transformation by these nanoparticle-labeled plasmids.

From bipolar to quadrupolar electrode structures: an application of bond-detach lithography for dielectrophoretic particle assembly.

We describe a new, simple process for fabricating transparent quadrupolar electrode arrays enabling large-scale particle assembly by means of dielectrophoresis. In the first step, interdigitated electrode arrays are made by chemical wet etching of indium tin oxide (ITO). Then, the transition from a bipolar to a quadrupolar electrode arrangement is obtained by covering the electrode surface with a thin poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film acting as an electrical insulation layer in which selective openings are formed using bond-detach lithography.

Photoelectrochemical immunosensor for label-free detection and quantification of anti-cholera toxin antibody.

We demonstrate herein a newly developed photoelectrochemical immunosensor for the determination of anti-cholera toxin antibody by using a photosensitive biotinylated polypyrrole film. The latter was generated by electro-oxidation of a biotinylated tris(bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) complex bearing pyrrole groups. The photoexcitation of this modified electrode potentiostated at 0.

Electrogeneration of a poly(pyrrole)-NTA chelator film for a reversible oriented immobilization of histidine-tagged proteins.

This contribution reports, for the first time, the synthesis and electropolymerization of a pyrrole N-substituted by a nitrilotriacetic acid acting as a chelating center of Cu2+. A step-by-step approach for protein immobilization was developed via the successive coordination of Cu2+ and histidine-tagged proteins. The self-assembly of histidine-tagged glucose oxidase led to the formation of a close-packed enzyme monolayer at the poly(pyrrole) surface, and the reversibility and reproducibility of this affinity process were demonstrated.

Electrogeneration of a biotinylated poly(pyrrole-ruthenium(II)) film for the construction of photoelectrochemical immunosensor.

A biotinylated photosensitive polymer was electrogenerated from on a ruthenium complex bearing biotin and pyrrole groups; the resulting polypyrrolic film allowed the bioaffine immobilisation of avidin and biotinylated cholera toxin and the photoelectrochemical detection of the corresponding antibody.

A new biotinylated tris bipyridinyl iron(II) complex as redox biotin-bridge for the construction of supramolecular biosensing architectures.

The bioaffine immobilization of several avidin layers on an electrode modified by a biotinylated polymer was accomplished by the first biotinylated redox bridge consisted of a tris(bipyridyl)iron(II) complex bearing six pre-oriented biotin groups.