Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Anodic and cathodic biofilms coupled with electricity generation in single-chamber microbial fuel cell using activated sludge

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is used to remove organic pollutants while generating electricity. Biocathode plays as an efficient electrocatalyst for accelerating the Oxidation Reduction Reaction (ORR) of oxygen in MFC. This study integrated biocathode into a single-chamber microbial fuel cell (BSCMFC) to produce electricity from an organic substrate using aerobic activated sludge to gain more insights into anodic and cathodic biofilms. The maximum power density, current density, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, and coulombic efficiency were 0.593 W m−3, 2.6 A m−3, 83 ± 8.4%, and 22 ± 2.5%, respectively. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by biofilm from the biocathode were higher than the bioanode. Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) examined confirmed the presence of biofilm by the adhesion on electrodes. The dominant phyla in bioanode were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, while the dominant phylum in the biocathode was Proteobacteria. Therefore, this study demonstrates the applicable use of BSCMFC for bioelectricity generation and pollution control.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Scheme 1
Fig. 1
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

References

  1. Xu H, Wang L, Lin C et al (2020) Improved simultaneous decolorization and power generation in a microbial fuel cell with the sponge anode modified by polyaniline and chitosan. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 192:698–718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-020-03346-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Xiao B, Yang F, Liu J (2011) Enhancing simultaneous electricity production and reduction of sewage sludge in two-chamber MFC by aerobic sludge digestion and sludge pretreatments. J Hazard Mater 189:444–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.02.058

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Xin X, Chen B-Y, Hong J (2019) Unraveling interactive characteristics of microbial community associated with bioelectric energy production in sludge fermentation fluid-fed microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol 289:121652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121652

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lovley DR, Nevin KP (2011) A shift in the current: new applications and concepts for microbe-electrode electron exchange. Curr Opin Biotechnol 22:441–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2011.01.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Chandrasekhar K (2019) Effective and nonprecious cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cells. In: Microbial Electrochemical Technology, p 485–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64052-9.00019-4

  6. Kakaei K, Esrafili MD, Ehsani A (2019) Oxygen reduction reaction. In: Interface Science and Technology, vol 27. p 203–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814523-4.00006-X

  7. Song H-L, Zhu Y, Li J (2019) Electron transfer mechanisms, characteristics and applications of biological cathode microbial fuel cells–a mini review. Arab J Chem 12:2236–2243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2015.01.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Milner EM, Popescu D, Curtis T et al (2016) Microbial fuel cells with highly active aerobic biocathodes. J Power Sour 324:8–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.05.055

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Du Y, Feng Y, Dong Y, Qu Y, Liu J, ZX& RN, (2014) Coupling interaction of cathodic reduction and microbial metabolism in aerobic biocathode of microbial fuel cell. RSC Adv 4:34350–34355. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ra03441d

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Rothballer M, Picot M, Sieper T et al (2015) Monophyletic group of unclassified $γ$-Proteobacteria dominates in mixed culture biofilm of high-performing oxygen reducing biocathode. Bioelectrochemistry 106:167–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.04.004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang Z, Zheng Y, Xiao Y et al (2013) Analysis of oxygen reduction and microbial community of air-diffusion biocathode in microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol 144:74–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.06.093

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Zakaria BS, Dhar BR (2020) Changes in syntrophic microbial communities, EPS matrix, and gene-expression patterns in biofilm anode in response to silver nanoparticles exposure. Sci Total Environ 734:139395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139395

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tan B, Zhou S, Wang Y et al (2019) Molecular insight into electron transfer properties of extracellular polymeric substances of electroactive bacteria by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Sci China Technol Sci 62:1679–1687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-018-9437-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Stöckl M, Teubner NC, Holtmann D et al (2019) Extracellular polymeric substances from Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms in microbial fuel cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 11:8961–8968. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b14340

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Xiao Y, Zhao F (2017) Electrochemical roles of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms. Curr Opin Electrochem 4:206–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2017.09.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Pandey P, Shinde VN, Deopurkar RL et al (2016) Recent advances in the use of different substrates in microbial fuel cells toward wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy recovery. Appl Energy 168:706–723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.01.056

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Vilajeliu-Pons A, Puig S, Pous N et al (2015) Microbiome characterization of MFCs used for the treatment of swine manure. J Hazard Mater 288:60–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.02.014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rittman BE, Krajmalnik-Brown R, Halden RU (2008) Pregenomic, genomic and post-genomic study of microbial communities involved in bioenergy. Nat Rev Microbiol 6:604–612. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1939

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wittebolle L, Vooren NV, Verstraete W, Boon N (2009) High reproducibility of ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities in parallel sequential batch reactors. J Appl Microbiol 107:385–394

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Khater DZ, El-Khatib KM, Hassan HM (2017) Microbial diversity structure in acetate single chamber microbial fuel cell for electricity generation. J Genet Eng Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgeb.2017.01.008

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Lee K, Zhang L, Lui H et al (2009) Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by carbon-supported cobalt polypyrrole (Co-PPy/C) electrocatalysts. Electrochim Acta 54:4704–4711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2009.03.081

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Picoreanu C, Head IM, Katuri KP et al (2007) Computational model for biofim-based microbial fuel cells. Water Res 41:2921–2940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.04.009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Andrew DE, Clescenri LS, Breenberg AE (1995) Standard method for the examination of water and wastewater, 19th edn. APHA, AWW, WEF , Washington

    Google Scholar 

  24. Reguera G, McCarthy KD, Mehta T et al (2005) Extracellular electron transfer via microbial nanowires. Nature 435:1098–1101. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature03661

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dubois M, Gilles KA, Hamilton JK et al (1956) Phenol sulphuric acid method for total carbohydrate. Anal Chem 8:350–356. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60111a017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(76)90527-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Borges S, Silva J, Teixeira P (2012) Survival and biofilm formation by Group B streptococci in simulated vaginal fluid at different pHs. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 101:677–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-011-9666-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Richter H, McCarthy K, Nevin KP et al (2008) Electricity generation by Geobacter sulfurreducens attached to gold electrodes. Langmuir 24:4376–4379. https://doi.org/10.1021/la703469y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kamel MS, Abd-Alla MH, Abdul-Raouf UM et al (2019) Characterization of anodic biofilm bacterial communities and performance evaluation of a mediator-free microbial fuel cell. Environ Eng Res 25:862–870. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2019.412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Zhang G, Zhang H, Zhang C et al (2013) Simultaneous nitrogen and carbon removal in a single chamber microbial fuel cell with a rotating biocathode. Process Biochem 48:893–900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2013.03.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Bergel A, Féron D, Mollica A (2005) Catalysis of oxygen reduction in PEM fuel cell by seawater biofilm. Electrochem commun 7:900–904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2005.06.006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Sharma Y, Li B (2010) Optimizing energy harvest in wastewater treatment by combining anaerobic hydrogen producing biofermentor (HPB) and microbial fuel cell (MFC). Int J Hydrogen Energy 35:3789–3797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.01.042

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Freguia S, Rabaey K, Yuan Z, Keller J (2008) Sequential anode–cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells. Water Res 42:1387–1396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.10.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Huang L, Logan BE (2008) Electricity generation and treatment of paper recycling wastewater using a microbial fuel cell. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 80:349–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1546-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Samsudeen N, Radhakrishnan TK, Matheswaran M (2015) Bioelectricity production from microbial fuel cell using mixed bacterial culture isolated from distillery wastewater. Bioresour Technol 195:242–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.023

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ibarbalz FM, Figuerola ELM, Erijman L (2013) Industrial activated sludge exhibit unique bacterial community composition at high taxonomic ranks. Water Res 47:3854–3864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.04.010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Cai W-F, Geng J-F, Pu K-B et al (2018) Investigation of a two-dimensional model on microbial fuel cell with different biofilm porosities and external resistances. Chem Eng J 333:572–582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.09.189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Sun J, Bi Z, Hou B et al (2010) Further treatment of decolorization liquid of azo dye coupled with increased power production using microbial fuel cell equipped with an aerobic biocathode. Water Res 45:283–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2010.07.059

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Xu G, Zheng X, Lu Y et al (2019) Development of microbial community within the cathodic biofilm of single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell. Sci Total Environ 665:641–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Yang N, Zhan G, Wu T et al (2018) Effect of air-exposed biocathode on the performance of a Thauera-dominated membraneless single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC). J Environ Sci 66:216–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.05.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Xu G, Zheng X, Lu Y et al (2019) Development of microbial community within the cathodic bio fi lm of single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell. Sci Total Environ 665:641–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Gao C, Wang A, Wu W et al (2014) Enrichment of anodic biofilm inoculated with anaerobic or aerobic sludge in single chambered air-cathode microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol 167:124–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.05.120

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Kalathil S, Lee J, Cho MH (2012) Efficient decolorization of real dye wastewater and bioelectricity generation using a novel single chamber biocathode-microbial fuel cell. Bioresour Technol 119:22–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.059

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Yan H, Saito T, Regan JM (2012) Nitrogen removal in a single-chamber microbial fuel cell with nitrifying biofilm enriched at the air cathode. Water Res 46:2215–2224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.01.050

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Zhang G, Zhao Q, Jiao Y et al (2012) Biocathode microbial fuel cell for efficient electricity recovery from dairy manure. Biosens Bioelectron 31:537–543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2011.11.036

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Zhang G, Zhao Q, Jiao Y et al (2012) Efficient electricity generation from sewage sludge using biocathode microbial fuel cell. Water Res 46:43–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.10.036

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Chen G, Choi S, Lee T et al (2008) Application of biocathode in microbial fuel cells : cell performance and microbial community. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 79:379–388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1451-0

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Zhang G, Zhao Q, Jiao Y et al (2011) Improved performance of microbial fuel cell using combination biocathode of graphite fiber brush and graphite granules. J Power Sour 196:6036–6041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.03.096

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Shen L, Yao Y, Meng F (2014) Reactor performance and microbial ecology of a nitritation membrane bioreactor. J Memb Sci 462:139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.03.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Jemaat Z, Suárez-Ojeda ME, Pérez J, Carrera J (2014) Partial nitritation and o-cresol removal with aerobic granular biomass in a continuous airlift reactor. Water Res 48:354–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.09.048

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Jiang T, Zhang H, Qiang H et al (2013) Start-up of the anammox process and membrane fouling analysis in a novel rotating membrane bioreactor. Desalination 311:46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2012.10.031

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Chen Y-P, Li C, Guo J-S et al (2013) Extraction and characterization of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilm and sludge via completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite system. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 169:526–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-012-9996-x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Ahimou F, Semmens MJ, Haugstad G, Novak PJ (2007) Effect of protein, polysaccharide, and oxygen concentration profiles on biofilm cohesiveness. Appl Environ Microbiol 73:2905–2910. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02420-06

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Yuvraj C, Aranganathan V (2017) MFC—An Approach in Enhancing Electricity Generation Using Electroactive Biofilm of Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing (DIR) Bacteria. Arab J Sci Eng 42:2341–2347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-017-2529-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Sun D, Cheng S, Wang A et al (2015) Temporal-spatial changes in viabilities and electrochemical properties of anode biofilms. Environ Sci Technol 49:5227–5235. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Jorand F, Boue-Bigne F, Block JC, Urbain V (1998) Hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of activated sludge exopolymeric substances. Water Sci Technol 37:307–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00123-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Yuan S-J, Sun M, Sheng G-P et al (2011) Identification of key constituents and structure of the extracellular polymeric substances excreted by Bacillus megaterium TF10 for their flocculation capacity. Environ Sci Technol 45:1152–1157. https://doi.org/10.1021/es1030905

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Comte S, Guibaud G, Baudu M (2006) Biosorption properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) resulting from activated sludge according to their type: soluble or bound. Process Biochem 41:815–823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2005.10.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Nanda PK, Krishna Rao K, Nayak PL (2007) Biodegradable polymers. XI. Spectral, thermal, morphological, and biodegradability properties of environment-friendly green plastics of soy protein modified with thiosemicarbazide. J Appl Polym Sci 103:3134–3142. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.24590

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Naumann D (2000) Encyclopedia of analytical chemistry. Wiley, Chichester, pp 102–131

    Google Scholar 

  61. Saif FAAA, Sakr EAE (2020) Characterization and bioactivities of exopolysaccharide produced from probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 47FE and Lactobacillus pentosus 68FE. Bioact Carbohydr Diet Fibre. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcdf.2020.100231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Guo H, Xie S, Deng H et al (2020) Electricity production and bacterial communities of microbial fuel cell supplied with oily sludge. Environ Prog Sustain Energy. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.13409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Abbas SZ, Rafatullah M, Ismail N, Shakoori FR (2018) Electrochemistry and microbiology of microbial fuel cells treating marine sediments polluted with heavy metals. RSC Adv 8:18800–18813. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8RA01711E

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Chouler J, Bentley I, Vaz F et al (2017) Exploring the use of cost-effective membrane materials for Microbial Fuel Cell based sensors. Electrochim Acta 231:319–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2017.01.195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Lincy MJA, Kumar BA, Vasantha VS, Varalakshmi P (2015) Microbial fuel cells: a promising alternative energy source. Oppor Chall. https://doi.org/10.1201/b18718-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Zafar Z, Ayaz K, Sharafat I et al (2018) Enrichment of electricigenic biofilm for synchronized generation of electric current and waste water treatment in microbial fuel cells. Int J Electrochem Sci 13:4424–4437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Angelaalincy MJ, Navanietha Krishnaraj R, Shakambari G et al (2018) Biofilm engineering approaches for improving the performance of microbial fuel cells and bioelectrochemical systems. Front Energy Res 6:63. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2018.00063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Chae K-J, Choi M-J, Lee J-W et al (2009) Effect of different substrates on the performance, bacterial diversity, and bacterial viability in microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol 100:3518–3525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.02.065

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Richter H, Nevin KP, Jia H et al (2009) Cyclic voltammetry of biofilms of wild type and mutant Geobacter sulfurreducens on fuel cell anodes indicates possible roles of OmcB, OmcZ, type IV pili, and protons in extracellular electron transfer. Energy Environ Sci 2:506–516. https://doi.org/10.1039/B816647A

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Nimje VR, Chen C-Y, Chen C-C et al (2009) Stable and high energy generation by a strain of Bacillus subtilis in a microbial fuel cell. J Power Sour 190:258–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.01.019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Córdova-Bautista Y, Ramirez-Morales E, Perez-Hernandez B et al (2020) Electricity production and bioremediation from synthetic sugar industry wastewater by using microbial isolate in microbial fuel cell. Sugar Tech 22:820–829. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-020-00830-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Rabaey K, Boon N, Hofte M, Verstraete W (2005) Microbial phenazine production enhances electron transfer in biofuel cells. Env Sci Technol 39:3401–3408. https://doi.org/10.1021/es048563o

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Uria N, Ferrera I, Mas J (2017) Electrochemical performance and microbial community profiles in microbial fuel cells in relation to electron transfer mechanisms. BMC Microbiol 17(208):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-017-1115-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Rabaey K, Boon N, Siciliano SD, Verhaege M, Vestraete W (2004) Biofuel cells select for microbial consortia that self-mediate electron transfer. Appl Env Microbiol 70:5373–5382. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.70.9.5373-5382.2004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Thatoi H, Das S, Mishra J et al (2014) Bacterial chromate reductase, a potential enzyme for bioremediation of hexavalent chromium: a review. J Environ Manage 146:383–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.07.014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Wang X, Yu P, Zeng C et al (2015) Enhanced denitrification rate of Alcaligenes faecalis with electrode as electron donor. Appl Environ Microbiol. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00683-15

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  77. Cournet A, Délia M-L, Bergel A et al (2010) Electrochemical reduction of oxygen catalyzed by a wide range of bacteria including Gram-positive. Electrochem commun 12:505–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2010.01.026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Majumder D, Maity JP, Tseng M-J et al (2014) Electricity generation and wastewater treatment of oil refinery in microbial fuel cells using Pseudomonas putida. Int J Mol Sci 15:16772–16786. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms150916772

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  79. Rosenbaum M, Aulenta F, Villano M, Angenent LT (2011) Cathodes as electron donors for microbial metabolism: which extracellular electron transfer mechanisms are involved? Bioresour Technol 102:324–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.07.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Cristiani P, Franzetti A, Gandolfi I et al (2013) Bacterial DGGE fingerprints of biofilms on electrodes of membraneless microbial fuel cells. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 84:211–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.05.040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Vejarano F, Benitez-Campo N, Bravo E et al (2018) Electrochemical monitoring and microbial characterization of a domestic wastewater-fed microbial fuel cell inoculated with anaerobic sludge. Rev Ciencias 22:13–32

    Google Scholar 

  82. Kim IS, Chae K-J, Choi M-J, Verstraete W (2008) Microbial fuel cells: recent advances, bacterial communities and application beyond electricity generation. Environ Eng Res 13:51–65. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2008.13.2.051

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the financial support provided by the Public Administration of Environmental Projects—Applied research committee, Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, Ain shams university. The authors would like to thank the participants of the research theme from National Research Centre (NRC) for the fruitful discussions, research facilities, and their support.

Funding

The financial support provided by the Public Administration of Environmental Projects—Applied research committee, Community Service and Environmental Development Sector, Ain shams university.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

    Ebtehag A. E. Sakr

  2. Chemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Department, National Research Centre (NRC), El Buhouth St., 12622-Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    Dena Z. Khater & K. M. El-khatib

Authors
  1. Ebtehag A. E. Sakr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dena Z. Khater
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. M. El-khatib
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

EAES, DZK, KME-k conceived and designed the study ES and DK performed the experiments. All the authors wrote the original draft preparation, validation, reviewing, and editing, read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ebtehag A. E. Sakr.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Yes.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sakr, E.A.E., Khater, D.Z. & El-khatib, K.M. Anodic and cathodic biofilms coupled with electricity generation in single-chamber microbial fuel cell using activated sludge. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 44, 2627–2643 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-021-02632-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-021-02632-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation