Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiguang Zhuang, Baitao Li, Xiujun Wang
Summary: In this study, a high-performance cathode catalyst Fe3Co1-700 was successfully synthesized and demonstrated comparable or even better catalytic activity and stability in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work provides an effective strategy for regulating the surface electronic state in bimetallic electro-catalysts.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Juntao Yang, Hui Yang, Shaoqing Wang, Kexin Wang, Yongming Sun, Weiming Yi, Gaixiu Yang
Summary: By improving the pyrolysis program, nitrogen-doped biochar prepared from lipid-extracted microalgae residues showed better performances in oxygen reduction reactions and microbial fuel cell applications, with higher onset potentials and maximal power densities.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Simran Kaur Dhilllon, Patit Paban Kundu, Rahul Jain
Summary: This review summarizes the progress in carbon-based materials for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts and their utilization in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Incorporating transition metals and heteroatoms into carbon can enhance the ORR activity and power generation in MFCs. Nitrogen-doped carbons have abundant active sites and superior conductivity, stability, and catalytic activity. Carbon-based catalysts and biomass-derived carbons show potential to replace expensive Pt catalysts for ORR.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinyi Li, Yangtian Huang, Yubiao Lu, Tianbo Jia, Jianxin Wang, Peng Li
Summary: Nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (N-doped GO) catalyst improves the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance of air-cathode microbial fuel cell (AMFC), enhancing the output voltage and power density. The NGO10 catalyst shows the highest output voltage (391.8 mV) and power density (1800 mWm-3) in AMFC, outperforming H-NGO and Pt/C electrodes. High-throughput sequencing reveals diverse bacterial communities in anode and cathode biofilms, with enriched denitrifying bacteria including Marinobacter, Methylophaga, and Arcobacter on NGO10 cathode. Real-time PCR confirms higher expression of denitrification-related genes in the NGO10 cathode biofilm.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linzhe Huang, Kengqiang Zhong, Hongguo Zhang, Guoqing Wu, Ruoyun Yang, Dongjiao Lin, Samuel Raj Babu Arulmani, Xianjie Liu, Lei Huang, Jia Yan
Summary: This study developed a facile and extensible method to synthesize efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst NS@UiO-66, which exhibits excellent stability and active sites, thus improving the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The synergistic effect of nitrogen and sulfur in NS@UiO-66 reduces the reaction barrier and accelerates the ORR process. NS@UiO-66 has the potential to replace commercial Pt/C catalysts, promoting the scaling-up production and application of MFCs due to its low-cost elements doping and easy synthesis method.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiujun Wang, Zhangyige Kong, Jianshan Ye, Chunfeng Shao, Baitao Li
Summary: The study focused on synthesizing hollow nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres (HNCNS) using silica-coated carbon nanospheres (CNS@SiO2) as a sacrificial template. HNCNS showed enhanced ORR activity compared to solid carbon and silica spheres, with the optimal catalyst HNCNS-1000 exhibiting the highest activity in neutral media. Single chamber MFC (SCMFC) with HNCNS-1000 cathode demonstrated comparable activity to a Pt/C reference, with high power generation, stability, COD removal, and CE. The results indicated that HNCNS-1000 is a cost-effective alternative to commercial Pt/C catalyst for practical application in MFCs treating wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuting Huang, Jie Xia, Dongyun Chen, Najun Li, Qingfeng Xu, Hua Li, Jinghui He, Jianmei Lu
Summary: The development of high-efficiency and economical electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction is crucial for renewable energy storage and conversion technology. The degradation of phenanthrene is an important research area and the catalyst 1.5 CuCo@NC-800 shows great potential in microbial fuel cells.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuiyun Shen, Junren Chen, Xiaohui Yan, Xiaojing Cheng, Lutian Zhao, Ziwen Ren, Lin Li, Junliang Zhang
Summary: The study reveals that the performance of non-precious metal catalysts needs to find a balance between oxygen reduction activity, proton conduction resistance, and oxygen transport resistance, requiring careful and deliberate designs for MEAs based on NPMCs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Boobalan Thulasinathan, Tamilmani Jayabalan, Nagarajan Arumugam, Woong Kim, Ponnuchamy Kumar, Muthusamy Govarthanan, Arun Alagarsamy, Mohan Rasu Kulanthaisamy
Summary: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use biodegradable matter in waste resources to produce green carbon-neutral bioenergy. MFC technology involves the multidisciplinary application of various fields, and the substrate plays a crucial role in MFC performance. Industrial wastewater with a higher level of organic matter has been found to be beneficial for harvesting green electricity in MFCs. Challenges and future prospects in energy recovery from effluents utilized in MFCs have been observed with technological advancements.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kengqiang Zhong, Henghui You, Lei Huang, Han Li, Linzhe Huang, Xianjie Liu, Hongguo Zhang
Summary: This study reports a strategy based on ammonium fluoride gas-steaming method to enhance the structural defects and density of N, F active sites in metal-free catalysts. The results show that this method significantly improves the adsorption affinity of O2 and oxygen intermediates on the catalysts, resulting in excellent ORR catalytic activity and long-term stability. This work proposes a facile and efficient in situ gas-steaming strategy to develop metal-free cathode catalysts with superior performance.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pewee Datoo Kolubah, Hend Omar Mohamed, Maya Ayach, Ananda Rao Hari, Husam N. Alshareef, Pascal Saikaly, Kyu-Jung Chae, Pedro Castano
Summary: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have great potential for treating wastewater and reducing energy demands while generating electricity. However, the low power density produced by MFCs limits their practical application. In this study, a tungsten nitride (W2N)-MXene composite catalyst is introduced to enhance the anode surface and improve the overall performance of MFCs during wastewater treatment.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Simran Kaur Dhillon, Patit Paban Kundu
Summary: The performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be enhanced by synthesizing a composite material of magnesium cobaltite embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon. The composite serves as an air cathode and demonstrates superior power output compared to traditional catalysts.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bolong Jiang, Decheng Lu, Nan Jiang, Hailin Jiang, Lihua Qi, Shunjie Shi, Yanyan Cui, Weiqiang Tan
Summary: The efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be achieved by using N-doped transition metal oxides as catalysts. In this study, non-precious N-doped Fe3O4/CoO@NC-T catalysts were prepared using a two-step strategy and showed exceptional ORR activity. Among the catalysts, Fe3O4/CoO@NC-750 exhibited the best performance with superior power density and electrochemical stability compared to commercial Pt/C catalyst in MFCs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Abdullah Almatouq, Mohd Elmuntasir Ahmed, Mishari Khajah, Hussain Abdullah, Rashed Al-Yaseen, Mariam Al-Jumaa, Farah Al-Ajeel, Ahmed Shishter
Summary: This paper investigates the use of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for different types of industrial wastewater treatment and evaluates their electricity generation and COD removal efficiency. The results show that MFCs can successfully generate electricity from all industrial wastewater except for petrochemical wastewater, and achieve high COD removal rates.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qingxin Li, Shaohui Zhang, Wei Xuan, Haikun Zhou, Wenying Tian, Xiaoting Deng, Jingwen Huang, Zhiyong Xie, Feng Liu, Xueduan Liu, Yili Liang
Summary: Microbial fabrication of nano-Pd electrocatalysts using Shewanella as precursors shows excellent ORR electrocatalytic performance. The small Pd particle size and uniform dispersion on microbial support contribute to the enhanced performance, along with the nitrogen content.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mosaddek Hossen, Shamim Hasan, Riajul Islam Sardar, Jahi bin Haider, Kaido Mottakin, Kaido Tammeveski, Plamen Atanassov
Summary: Non-platinum catalysts are essential for the economical application of AEMFC, and this review summarizes the advancements in the synthesis of different components and structures of catalysts. Thirteen catalysts have surpassed the peak power density threshold of 1000 mW.cm-2, including Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon (M-N-C), Bimetals-Nitrogen-Carbon (MM-N-C), Transition metal oxides (TMO), and non-metallic catalysts (NMC). The improvement in catalyst's porosity, surface area, conjugation of active sites, and synthesis procedures greatly affect the ORR activity and fuel cell performance.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Leticia S. Bezerra, Marek Mooste, Guilherme V. Fortunato, Eduardo S. F. Cardoso, Marcos R. V. Lanza, Kaido Tammeveski, Gilberto Maia
Summary: A highly durable bifunctional catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the air electrode of zinc-air batteries (ZAB) was proposed, which consisted of NiCo2O4 blended with nitrogen-doped graphene nanoribbons (GNRN). The catalysts with different ratios of NiCo2O4 and GNRN were evaluated for their activity and electrochemical stability. The results showed that the NiCo2O4(80):GNRN(20) and NiCo2O4(90):GNRN(10) catalysts exhibited high efficiency for both ORR and OER. The NiCo2O4/GNRN-based ZABs showed comparable power densities and specific capacities to the commercial Pt-Ru/C catalyst.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yogesh Kumar, Marek Mooste, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: Rechargeable zinc-air battery (RZAB) is a promising energy-storage device for renewable energy economy, but practical application is limited by various challenges, mainly the sluggish reaction kinetics of ORR and OER. Non-precious metal catalysts have shown great potential for oxygen-involved electrocatalysis compared to noble metal-based catalyst materials. This article reviews the recent advancements in transition metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts and outlines the conclusion and future perspectives for RZAB application.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rishabh Raj, Swati Das, Sovik Das, Makarand Madhao Ghangrekar
Summary: Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are emerging contaminants that can hinder the hormonal system of humans and animals. They are widespread in our surroundings and are discharged into water bodies through industrial and domestic waste streams. Even in trace concentrations, EDCs can cause reproductive system impairment, weakened immunity, and developmental disorders in children. The detection of EDCs in rivers, coastal regions, and subsurface aquifers indicates the extent of pollution. Conventional treatment methods have failed to suppress EDC pollution, leading to the development of electrochemical techniques (ETs) that offer efficient degradation of EDCs with minimal reliance on external chemicals.
GROUNDWATER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Audris Mihailovs, Markus Otsus, Arvo Kikas, Vambola Kisand, Aile Tamm, Heiki Erikson, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: Palladium coatings are deposited onto bulk silver, nickel, and copper electrodes using galvanic exchange to investigate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on these bimetallic electrodes. The electrodes prepared by galvanic replacement for 30 min in the Pd precursor bath are analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the surface morphology of all Pd coatings prepared onto Ag substrates is examined using scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical tests reveal that the specific activity of Pd on Ag for ORR in alkaline media increases with deposition time, while the specific activity of palladium on nickel reaches a plateau after 30 min of galvanic replacement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jonas Mart Linge, Heiki Erikson, Peeter Ritslaid, Arvo Kikas, Vambola Kisand, Jaan Aruvali, Jekaterina Kozlova, Aile Tamm, Ave Sarapuu, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: In this study, MnO2 and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites decorated with silver were prepared to evaluate their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The physicochemical characterisation was done using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical studies revealed that the activity and stability of the composite catalysts depend on the substrate material and the thickness of the silver layer.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jaana Lilloja, Elo Kibena-Poldsepp, Ave Sarapuu, Anastasiia Konovalova, Maike Kaarik, Jekaterina Kozlova, Paarn Paiste, Arvo Kikas, Alexey Treshchalov, Jaan Aruvali, Andrea Zitolo, Jaan Leis, Aile Tamm, Vambola Kisand, Steven Holdcroft, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: Transition-metal and nitrogen-doped graphene-like material and carbon nanotube composites are synthesized and utilized as cathode catalysts in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. The materials exhibit similar physicochemical properties and electrocatalytic performances with different yields of HO2- formation. The M-N-Gra/CNT catalysts, especially CoFe-N-Gra/CNT, combined with Aemion+ reinforced anion-exchange membrane, show excellent AEMFC performance comparable to that of Pt/C with a peak power density of 638 mW cm(-2), attributed to the presence of M-Nx sites, carbon-encapsulated transition-metal nanoparticles, and nitrogen-containing moieties.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aniket Raut, Haoyan Fang, Yu-Chung Lin, Shi Fu, David Sprouster, Ryuichi Shimogawa, Anatoly I. Frenkel, Chulsung Bae, John C. Douglin, Jaana Lillojad, Kaido Tammeveski, Zhiqiao Zeng, Stoyan Bliznakov, Miriam Rafailovich, Dario R. Dekel
Summary: By using the complementary techniques of X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, we have discovered that Pt ion migration is a key factor in explaining the performance decay of AEMFCs. Pt+2 ions are easily formed in alkaline media and can either dissolve into the carbon support or migrate to the membrane. Unlike PEMFCs, where hydrogen cross over results in the formation of a vertical Pt line within the membrane, the ions in AEM are trapped by charged groups within the membrane, causing membrane disintegration and failure. However, when substituting the Pt/C of the cathode with a FeCo-N-C catalyst, metal ion diffusion is still observed but with the ions migrating to the anode, thereby increasing membrane stability.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ave Sarapuu, Jaana Lilloja, Srinu Akula, Jose H. Zagal, Stefania Specchia, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: Fuel cells are a promising clean energy technology with potential in various sectors. The high cost and scarcity of noble metals used in fuel cell catalysts have hindered their commercialization. Non-precious metal electrocatalysts, particularly single-atom catalysts (SACs) with atomically dispersed active sites, have gained attention for their potential as alternatives. This review summarizes recent advancements in the utilization of transition metal-based SACs in fuel cells and highlights strategies to enhance their performance and durability. SACs show promise as cathode electrocatalysts in low-temperature fuel cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kiran K. Jayaraj, Prakash Saravanan, Gourav Dhar Bhowmick
Summary: This research presents a pioneering solution by utilizing aquacultural waste to produce biochar and enhancing a sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC)'s treatment efficacy for waste generated from the integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yogesh Kumar, Srinu Akula, Elo Kibena-Poldsepp, Maike Kaarik, Jekaterina Kozlova, Arvo Kikas, Jaan Aruvali, Vambola Kisand, Jaan Leis, Aile Tamm, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: In this study, a cobalt- and nitrogen-doped porous carbon catalyst was prepared from phloroglucinol-formaldehyde polymer networks with 2-methyl imidazole and cobalt phthalocyanine. The catalyst showed commendable electrocatalytic activity for both ORR and OER and exhibited outstanding performance and stability in zinc-air batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kaur Muuli, Rohit Kumar, Marek Mooste, Viktoria Gudkova, Alexey Treshchalov, Helle-Mai Piirsoo, Arvo Kikas, Jaan Aruvaeli, Vambola Kisand, Aile Tamm, Andres Krumme, Prabu Moni, Michaela Wilhelm, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: The goal of achieving large-scale production of zero-emission vehicles by 2035 is expected to create high demand for electric vehicle (EV) development and availability. However, a major challenge is the limited availability of suitable batteries and battery materials. This study presents an alternative catalyst material, FeCoNi-CNF, made from iron, cobalt, and nickel phthalocyanine tri-doped electrospun carbon nanofibers, which shows promise for use in rechargeable zinc-air batteries (RZAB) due to its affordability and performance. FeCoNi-CNF demonstrated comparable performance to Pt-group metal (PGM)-based catalysts in terms of oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, and it exhibited superior operational durability and longer lifespan in RZAB charge-discharge cycling.
Article
Electrochemistry
Kaur Muuli, Marek Mooste, Srinu Akula, Viktoria Gudkova, Markus Otsus, Arvo Kikas, Jaan Aruvali, Alexey Treshchalov, Vambola Kisand, Aile Tamm, Andres Krumme, Sara Cavaliere, Kaido Tammeveski
Summary: A Pt-free cathode catalyst embedded with cobalt(II) phthalocyanine and iron(II) phthalocyanine compounds was prepared, which showed better electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. The catalyst exhibited a nanofibrous structure with rough surface texture and contained significant amounts of N, Fe, and Co. The D-MN4-CNF-IL-A catalyst, prepared using ionic liquid as a porogen, displayed the best electrocatalytic activity for O2 electroreduction in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution, with an ORR onset potential of 0.83 V and a half-wave potential of 0.71 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE).
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swati Das, Rishabh Raj, Makarand M. Ghangrekar
Summary: Using green Fenton chemistry in a bio-electro-Fenton-assisted photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (BEF-PMFC) can improve lipid recovery and meet the demand for third-generation biodiesel.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Santosh Kumar, Akash Tripathi, Indrajit Chakraborty, Makarand. M. Ghangrekar
Summary: The mounting threat of global warming is undeniable, and current carbon capture and storage technologies face challenges. The use of engineered nanomaterials in microbial electrochemical technologies has gained momentum as a promising solution, enhancing carbon capture efficiency while enabling bioenergy production and wastewater treatment.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
