Abstract
A fast and cost effective immobilization of electron carriers, methylene blue (MB) and neutral red (NR) by pH shift was proposed to improve bioanodic performance. The adsorption of mediators onto the carbon cloth anode was verified using cyclic voltammogram (CV) and the effect of the immobilized mediators on acclimation, power density, and acetate removal of MFCs was investigated. A peak power density of P max(MB) = 11.3 W/m3 was achieved over days 110 ∼ 120, as compared to P max(Control) = 5.4 W/m3 and P max(NR) = 3.1 W/m3 for the treated anode after 15 sequential fed-batch operations. The VFA removal rates however were similar for all MFC systems, ranging from 82 to 87%. It could be suggested that the increase in power density for the MB treated electrode resulted from an enhanced electron transport from exo-electrogenic bacteria. MB may also have a selective effect on the bacterial community during the start-up stage, increasing the voltage production and acetate removal from day 1 to 16. However, MFC with NR treated anode produced an initial voltage under 100 mV, with lower coulombic efficiency (CE). NR exhibited less favourable mediator molecule binding to the electrode surface, when subject to pH driven physico-chemical immobilization.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Oh, S. T., J. R. Kim, G. C. Premier, T. H. Lee, C. Kim, and W. T. Sloan (2010) Sustainable wastewater treatment: How might microbial fuel cells contribute. Biotechnol. Adv. 28: 871–881.
Rabaey, K., K. Van de Sompel, L. Maignien, N. Boon, P. Aelterman, P. Clauwaert, L. De Schamphelaire, H. T. Pham, J. Vermeulen, M. Verhaege, P. Lens, and W. Verstraete (2006) Microbial fuel cells for sulfide removal. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40: 5218–5224.
Logan, B. E. B. Hamelers, R. Rozendal, U. Schröder, J. Keller, S. Freguia, P. Alterman, W. Verstraetae, and K. Rabaey (2006) Microbial fuel cells: Methodology and technology. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40: 5181–5192.
Rabaey, K. and W. Verstraete (2005) Microbial fuel cells: Novel biotechnology for energy generation. Trends Biotechnol. 23: 291–298.
Kim, J. R., G. C. Premiera, F. R. Hawkes, R. M. Dinsdale, and A. J. Guwy (2009) Development of a tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC) employing a membrane electrode assembly cathode. J. Power Sources 187: 393–399.
Kim, J. R., J. Rodriguez, F. R. Hawkes, R. M. Dinsdale, A. J. Guwy, and G. C. Premier (2011) Increasing power recovery and organic removal efficiency using extended longitudinal tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactors. Energ. Environ. Sci. 4: 459–465.
Kim, J. R., G. C. Premier, F. R. Hawkes, J. Rodríguez, R. M. Dinsdale, and A. J. Guwy (2010) Modular tubular microbial fuel cells for energy recovery during sucrose wastewater treatment at low organic loading rate. Bioresour. Technol. 101: 1190–1198.
Zeng, Y. Z., Y. F. Choo, B. H. Kim, and P. Wu (2010) Modelling and simulation of two-chamber microbial fuel cell. J. Power Sources. 195: 79–89.
Logan, B. E. (2008) Microbial Fuel Cells. pp. 132–133. John Wiley and Sons, NJ.
Logan, B. E., B. Hamelers, R. A. Rozendal, U. Schrorder, J. Keller, S. Freguia, P. Aelterman, W. Verstraete, and K. Rabaey (2006) Microbial fuel cells: Methodology and technology. Environ. Sci. Technol. 40: 5181–5192.
Park, A. H., S. K. Kim, I. H. Shin, and Y. J. Jeong (2000) Electricity Production in biofuel cell using modified graphite felt electrode with neutral red. Biotechnol. Lett. 22: 1301–1304.
Park, D. H. and J. G. Zeikus (1999) Utilization of electrically reduced neutral red by Actinobacillus succinogens: Physiological function of neutral red in membrane driven fumrate reduction and energy concervation. J. Bacteriol. 181: 2403–2410.
Ferreira-Leitao, V. S., M. E. A. Carvalho, and E. P. S. Bon (2007) Lignin peroxidase efficiency for methylene blue decolouration: Comparison to reported methods. Dyes Pigments 74: 230–236.
Mohan, Y., S. M. M. Kumar, and D. Das (2008) Electricity generation using microbial fuel cells. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 33: 423–426.
Wang, C. -T., W. -J. Chen, and R. -Y. Huang (2010) Influence of growth curve phase on electricity performance of microbial fuel cell by Escherichia coli. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 36: 1–7.
Potter, M. C. (1912) Electrical effects accompanying the decomposition of organic compounds. Royal Society 84: 260–276.
Choi, Y., N. Kim, S. Kim, and S. Jung (2003) Dynamic behaviors of redox mediators within the hydrophobic layers as an important factor for effective microbial fuel cell operation. B. Kor. Chem. Soc. 24: 437–440.
Lithgow, A. M., L. Romero, I. C. Sanchez, F. A. Souto, and C. A. Vega (1986) Interception of the electron-transport chain in bacteria with hydrophilic redox mediators. 1. Selective improvement of the performance of biofuel cells with 2,6-disulfonated thionine as mediator. J. Chem. Res. 5: 178–179.
Samrot, A. V., P. Senthilkumar, K. Pavankumar, G. C. Akilandeswari, N. Rajalakshmi, and K. S. Dhathathreyan (2010) Electricity generation by Enterobacter cloacae SU-1 in mediator less microbial fuel cell. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 35: 7723–7729.
Gunawardena, A., S. Fernando, and F. To (2008) Performance of a Yeast-mediated biological fuel cell. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 9: 1893–1907.
Rabaey, K., N. Boon, M. Hofte, and W. Verstraete (2005) Microbial phenazine production enhances electron transfer in biofuel cells. Environ. Sci. Technol. 39: 3401–3408.
Das, D. and T. N. Veziroðlu (2001) Hydrogen production by biological process: A survey of literature. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 26: 13–28.
Michaelis, L. and H. Eagle (1930) Some redox mediators. The J. Biol. Chem. 87: 713–727.
Akoachere, M., K. Buchholz, E. Fischer, J. Burhenne, W. E. Haefeli, R. H. Schirmer, and K. Becker (2005) In vitro assessment of methylene blue on chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains reveals synergistic action with artemisinins. Antimicrob. Agents Ch. 49: 4592–4597.
Auerbach, S. S., D. W. Bristol, J. C. Peckham, G. S. Travlos, C. D. Hebert, and R. S. Chhabra (2010) Toxicity and carcinogenicity studies of methylene blue trihydrate in F344N rats and B6C3F1 mice. Food and Chemical Toxicol. 48: 169–177.
Hameed, B. H. and A. A. Ahmad (2009) Batch adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by garlic peel, an agricultural waste biomass. J. Hazard. Mater. 164: 870–875.
Hameed, B. H., A. L. Ahmad, and K. N. A. Latiff (2007) Adsorption of basic dye (methylene blue) onto activated carbon prepared from rattan sawdust. Dyes Pigments. 75: 143–149.
Hameed, B. H., A. T. M. Din, and A. L. Ahmad (2007) Adsorption of methylene blue onto bamboo-based activated carbon: Kinetics and equilibrium studies. J. Hazard. Mater. 141: 819–825.
Hameed, B. H. and N. Nasuha (2011) Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution onto NaOH-modified rejected tea. Chem. Eng. J. 166: 783–786.
Daniel, D. K., B. Das Mankidy, K. Ambarish, and R. Manogari (2009) Construction and operation of a microbial fuel cell for electricity generation from wastewater. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 34: 7555–7560.
Wang, C. T., W. J. Chen, and R. Y. Huang (2010) Influence of growth curve phase on electricity performance of microbial fuel cell by Escherichia coil. Int. J. Hydrogen Energ. 35: 7217–7223.
McKinlay, J. B. and J. G. Zeikus (2004) Extracellular iron reduction is mediated in part by neutral red and hydrogenase in Escherichia coli. Appl. Environ. Microb. 70: 3467–3474.
Lin, J. X. and L. Wang (2009) Comparison between linear and non-linear forms of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic models for the removal of methylene blue by activated carbon. Frontiers of Env. Sci. Eng. China 3: 320–324.
Senthilkumaar, S., P. R. Varadarajan, K. Porkodi, and C. Subbhuraam (2005) Adsorption of methylene blue onto jute fiber carbon: Kinetics and equilibrium studies. J. Colloid. Interf. Sci. 284: 78–82.
Kim, J. R., S. Cheng, S. E. Oh, and B. E. Logan (2007) Power generation using different cation, anion, and ultrafiltration membranes in microbial fuel cells. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41: 1004–1009.
Kim, J. R., G. C. Premier, F. R. Hawkes, J. Rodríguez, R. M. Dinsdale, and A. J. Guwy (2009) Modular tubular microbial fuel cells for energy recovery during sucrose wastewater treatment at low organic loading rate. Bioresour. Technol. 101: 1190–1198.
Richter, H., K. P. Nevin, H. F. Jia, D. A. Lowy, D. R. Lovley, and L. M. Tender (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. Energ. Environ. Sci. 2: 506–516.
Cruwys, J. A., R. M. Dinsdalea, F. R. Hawkes, and D. L. Hawkes (2002) Development of a static headspace gas chromatographic procedure for the routine analysis of volatile fatty acids in wastewaters. J. Chromatography 945: 195–209.
Albrecht, T., Z. P. Chen, E. Knutson, S. Wang, and L. A. Martinez (2007) Stabilization of p53 in human cytomegalovirus-initiated cells is associated with sequestration of HDM2 and decreased p53 ubiquitination. J. Biol. Chem. 282: 29284–29295.
Rezvani, S., Y. Huang, D. Mcllveen-Wright, N. Hewitt, and Y. Wang (2007) Comparative assessment of sub-critical versus advanced super-critical oxyfuel fired PF boilers with CO(2) sequestration facilities. Fuel 86: 2134–2143.
Bard, A. J. and L. R. Faulkner (2001) Electrochemical Methods. pp. 598–600. John Wiley & sons, Austin.
Logan, B. E., J. R. Kim, S. H. Jung, and J. M. Regan (2007) Electricity generation and microbial community analysis of alcohol powered microbial fuel cells. Bioresour. Technol. 98: 2568–2577.
Cousins, C. S. G. (2003) Elasticity of carbon allotropes. IV. Rhombohedral graphite: Elasticity, zone-center optic modes, and phase transformation using transferred Keating parameters. Physical Rev. B. 67: 024110.024111–024110.024111.
Cousins, C. S. G. and M. I. Heggie (2003) Elasticity of carbon allotropes. III. Hexagonal graphite: Review of data, previous calculations, and a fit to a modified anharmonic Keating model. Physical Rev. B. 67: 024109..024101-024109.024112.
Endo, K., S. Koizumi, T. Otsuka, T. Ida, T. Morohashi, J. Onoe, A. Nakao, E. Z. Kurmaev, A. Moewes, and D. P. Chong (2003) Analysis of electron spectra of carbon allotropes (diamond, graphite, fullerene) by density functional theory calculations using the model molecules. J. Phys. Chem. A. 107: 9403–9408.
Hirsch, A. (1993) The Chemistry of the Fullerenes — An overview. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition in English. 32: 1138–1141.
Ye, J. N. and R. P. Baldwin (1988) Catalytic reduction of myoglobin and hemoglobin at chemically modified electrodes containing methylene-blue. Anal. Chem. 60: 2263–2268.
Housecroft, C. and A. G. Sharpe (2007) Inorganic Chemistry. Prentice Hall, NY.
Wagner, R. C., D. I. Call, and B. E. Logan (2010) Optimal set anode potentials vary in bioelectrochemical systems. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44: 6036–6041.
Mccalla, T. M. (1939) Cation adsorption by bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 40: 23–32.
Michie, I., J. R. Kim, R. Dinsdale, A. Guwy, and G. Premier (2011) Operational temperature regulates anodic biofilm growth and the development of electrogenic activity. Appl. Microbiol. Biot. 92: 419–430.
Michie, I. S., J. R. Kim, R. M. Dinsdale, A. J. Guwyb, and G. C. Premier (2011) The influence of psychrophilic and mesophilic start-up temperature on microbial fuel cell system performance. Energ. Environ. Sci. 4: 1011–1019.
Sumner, J. J., C. J. Sund, S. McMasters, S. R. Crittenden, and L. E. Harrell (2007) Effect of electron mediators on current generation and fermentation in a microbial fuel cell. Appl. Microbiol. Biot. 76: 561–568.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Popov, A.L., Kim, J.R., Dinsdale, R.M. et al. The effect of physico-chemically immobilized methylene blue and neutral red on the anode of microbial fuel cell. Biotechnol Bioproc E 17, 361–370 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-011-0493-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-011-0493-9