In the present study, vermicomposted soil has been analyzed as a substrate feed in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) for harvesting bioenergy. The results have shown that composting aided in providing a better environment with available organic matter and enriched microbial population. A maximum 66% COD removal with a highest power density of 4 mW m-2 has been observed from a MFC with vermicomposted soil. In comparison, a maximum power density of 134.44 μW m-2 with 31% COD removal has been observed for a MFC with non-vermicomposted (control) soil. The differences were mainly due to the predominant microbial species and organic matter additionally available in vermicomposted soil. In cyclic voltammetric analysis, the microbes present in the vermicomposted soil were found to be electrogenic. Electrochemical Impedence Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis allowed the evaluation of the internal resistance of the single chambered cell. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed microbial association with the process, whilst energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis provided results for the elemental analysis of both kinds of soil. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.

A NANDY

V KUMAR

M KHAMRAI

P P KUNDU

University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

RSC Advances

To develop a cost-effective efficient non-noble cathode electrocatalyst with enhanced oxygen reduction is one of the major concerns in optimizing electrical efficiency in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The study here demonstrates the evaluation of synthesized non-noble bi-metallic [1:1 Nickel (Ni): Cobalt (Co)] nanocatalyst supported on sulfonated polyaniline (SPAni) in MFC. The homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles on supporting matrix was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Inductive coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) also shows the uniform distribution of (1:1) Co and Ni nanoparticles over the polyaniline hetero-structure for Ni-Co/SPAni and Ni-Co/PAni nanocatalyst system. Furthermore, the high specific surface area [Multipoint Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (MBET)] of Ni-Co/SPAni catalyst associated with the uniform dispersion and high porosity makes it promising catalyst material for fuel cell applications. Among all the synthesized electrocatalysts, 1:1 Ni-Co/SPAni catalyst revealed the highest catalytic activity with the enhanced stability towards oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). Moreover, in MFC, a maximum power density of ∼659.79 mWm−2 was observed with prospective Ni-Co/SPAni catalyst compared to the corresponding Pt/C catalyst (∼483.48 mWm−2). The results indicate the potential application of a conducting polymer such as SPAni as supporting matrix in bimetallic Ni-Co catalyst system that could alternatively serve as an efficient cathode catalyst over the traditionally used costly Pt/C catalyst in MFCs operation. © 2018

Electrochimica Acta

Development of highly efficient bimetallic nanocomposite cathode catalyst, composed of Ni:Co supported sulfonated polyaniline for application in microbial fuel cells

This study reports the synthesis of non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) catalyst based on low cost cobalt nanoparticles supported by alumina and reduced graphene oxide (Al2O3-rGO) matrix as a new generation alternative to expensive platinum catalyst. 1: 1 Al2O3 and rGO ratio has found to be the most effective support for generating higher energy in single chambered microbial fuel cell (SC-MFC). The crystalline structure, chemical composition and surface structure of the developed catalyst material are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX) mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology of Co/Al2O3-rGO is characterized by Field-Emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). A study of different weight percentage of cobalt nanoparticles with support matrix is conducted in respect of catalyst activity and it reveals that the catalyst mixture with 80 wt% of metal (Catalyst B) is the best combination compared to the catalyst composition with 70 and 90 wt% of metal. Catalyst B also exhibits higher stability compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The function of the nanocatalyst (Catalyst B) as ORR cathode catalyst is observed in a single −chambered microbial fuel cell (SC-MFC) with a power density of 548.19 mWm−2 (compared to 483.48 mWm−2 for Pt/C catalyst).Thus, the newly developed catalyst can be a better substitute for the expensive Pt catalyst for SC-MFC application. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Co/Al2O3-rGO nanocomposite as cathode electrocatalyst for superior oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cell applications: The effect of nanocomposite composition

The main emphasis of this study is to understand the electroactive behavior of a microbe in microbial fuel cell (MFC) under specific selection pressure. This study explores potential of a non-electrogenic microbe for power production in a mediatorless MFC under the influence of a specific stress. Electric pulse of specific magnitude has been applied to Escherichia coli cells in a MFC and compared the results with unpulsed (control) MFC. Maximum power density of 187.77mW/m2 and 284.44mW/m2 for the control and experimental MFC has been observed at corresponding current density of 1444.44mA/m2 and 1777.77mA/m2. The results show improved performance for the pulsed (experimental) system, despite of initial downfall with respect to the control system. This suggests bacterial adaptation against electrical pulses which leads to evolution of an efficient electrogen. This observation is further confirmed by analyzing the results of Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Electrochemical Impedence Spectroscopy (EIS), enlightening different attributes like electrochemical property, bacterial morphology and impedance. The study is focused on development of a microbial fuel cell catalysed by E. coli, through triggering electroactive property in the microbe by exposing it to external stress. This study is unique in nature as it is mediatorless, economical and describes about a new method of natural bacterial evolution. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Effect of electric impulse for improved energy generation in mediatorless dual chamber microbial fuel cell through electroevolution of Escherichia coli

Membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a common arrangement used in direct methanol fuel cells, has been employed in a fed-batch mode microbial fuel cell (MFC), using mixed microbial population. This modification has been done for analyzing the prospect of obtaining increased power productivity. In addition, the electrodes have also been configured for the purpose of better current collection. Use of MEA as a replacement of the conventionally used 'separate membrane and electrode' arrangement has evidently resulted in reducing one of the limiting factors for higher power production in MFC, that is, its internal resistance. Open circuit potentials of more than 1 volt have been obtained for two MFC setups: (a) one consisting of an MEA and (b) the other having electrodes situated 2cm apart from each other, but having better current collectors than the first setup. Power densities of 2212.57mWm-2 and 1098.29mWm-2 have been obtained at corresponding current densities of 5028.57mAm-2 and 3542.86mAm-2, respectively. The potential and power obtained for the MFC consisting of an MEA is quite significant compared to the other systems employed in this study. © 2015.

New Biotechnology

Performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells: Effect of varying electrode configuration and presence of a membrane electrode assembly

In this study, a bacterial strain, Lysinibacillus sphaericus which is relatively new in the vast list of biocatalysts known to produce electricity has been tested for its potential in power production. It is cited from the literature that the organism is deficient in some sugar or polysaccharide processing enzymes and thus is tested for its ability to utilize substrates mainly rich in protein components like beef extract and with successive production of electricity. The particular species has been found to generate a maximum power density of 85mW/m2 and current density of ≈270mA/m2 using graphite felt as electrode. The maximum Open Circuit Voltage and current has been noted as 0.7Vand 0.8mA during these operational cycles. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate the presence of some electroactive compounds which can facilitate electron transfer from bacteria to electrode. The number of electrogens able to generate electricity in mediator free conditions are few, and the study introduces more divergence to that population. Substrate specificity and electricity generation efficacy of the strain in treating wastewater, specially rich in protein content has been reported in the study. As the species has been found to be efficient in utilizing proteinaceous material, the technique can be useful to treat specific type of wastewaters like wastewater from slaughterhouses or from meat packaging industry. Treating them in a more economical way which generates electricity as a outcome must be preferred over the conventional aerobic treatments. Emphasizing on substrate specificity, the study introduces this novel Lysinibacillus strain as a potent biocatalyst and its sustainable role in MFC application for bioenergy generation. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology

Utilization of proteinaceous materials for power generation in a mediatorless microbial fuel cell by a new electrogenic bacteria Lysinibacillus sphaericus VA5

Journal	Data powered by TypesetRSC Advances
Publisher	Data powered by TypesetRoyal Society of Chemistry
ISSN	2046-2069