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Impact of lignocellulosic biomass-derived graphene-titanium oxide nanocomposite as an electrode for sustainable performance in microbial fuel cell

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Abstract

The microbial fuel cell is a concept that uses an organic substrate to generate electrons and electrochemically degrade pollutants. This approach is now confronting two key challenges: electron production and electron transportation from anode to cathode. The organic substrate is in charge of electron generation; whereas, the anode electrode is responsible for electron transportation. According to recent literature, the present work focuses on using cellulose biomass as a starting material to prepare the graphene oxide anode and also modifying it with titanium oxide to make a modified anode electrode. Mango extract, on the other hand, was used as an organic substrate. When compared to other studies, the findings of this one are rather distinctive. The obtained power density was 1.48 mW/m2 for the graphene oxide anode and 3.51 mW/m2 for the graphene-titanium oxide anode because graphene oxide had 785.71 Ω internal resistance; whereas, graphene-titanium oxide anode had 395.34 Ω. Electrochemical research revealed that both electrodes transport efficiently, with the titanium oxide addition boosting the performance. On the other hand, metal degradation efficiency was greater than 80% in both cases. Finally, a mango extract oxidation mechanism is included, as are challenges and future recommendations.

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Figure modified from reference Umar et al. (2021) with Elsevier permission

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University, Arar.

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KSA for funding this research work through the project number “NBU-FFR-2023–0053.”

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  1. Department of Physics and Chemistry, Northern Border University, Rafha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    A. S. Alshammari

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ASA contributed to conceptualization, methodology, writing–original draft preparation, visualization, english editing of the manuscript, supervision, and funding acquisition. This article has been read and approved by the listed author.

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Alshammari, A.S. Impact of lignocellulosic biomass-derived graphene-titanium oxide nanocomposite as an electrode for sustainable performance in microbial fuel cell. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 5185–5202 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05348-z

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