FeS2 Nanoparticles Decorated Graphene as Microbial‐Fuel‐Cell Anode Achieving High Power Density

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2018-05, Vol.30 (22), p.e1800618-n/a
• Main Authors: Wang, Ruiwen, Yan, Mei, Li, Huidong, Zhang, Lu, Peng, Benqi, Sun, Jinzhi, Liu, Da, Liu, Shaoqin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemical fuel cells; bioelectricity; Biomass energy production; Cell anodes; Chemical oxygen demand; Decoration; Density; Electron transfer; FeS2 nanoparticles; Graphene; Hydrothermal reactions; Materials science; microbial fuel cells; Microorganisms; Nanoparticles; Power efficiency; Pyrite; Waste to energy; Wastewater
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800618

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have received great attention worldwide due to their potential in recovering electrical energy from waste and inexhaustible biomass. Unfortunately, the difficulty of achieving the high power, especially in real samples, remains a bottleneck for their practical applications. Herein, FeS2 nanoparticles decorated graphene is fabricated via a simple hydrothermal reaction. The FeS2 nanoparticles decorated graphene anode not only benefits bacterial adhesion and enrichment of electrochemically active Geobacter species on the electrode surface but also promotes efficient extracellular electron transfer, thus giving rise to a fast start‐up time of 2 d, an unprecedented power density of 3220 mW m−2 and a remarkable current density of 3.06 A m−2 in the acetate‐feeding and mixed bacteria‐based MFCs. Most importantly, the FeS2 nanoparticles decorated graphene anode successfully achieves a power density of 310 mW m−2 with simultaneous removal of 1319 ± 28 mg L−1 chemical oxygen demand in effluents from a beer factory wastewater. The characteristics of improved power generation and enhanced pollutant removal efficiency opens the door toward development of high‐performance MFCs via rational anode design for practical application. An FeS2 nanoparticles coated graphene (FeS2/rGO) anode not only benefits bacterial adhesion and Geobacter species enrichment, but also enhances the bacteria–electrode interaction and effectively promotes extracellular electron transfer from electroactive bacteria to the electrode, leading to a fast start‐up period and higher power density. The FeS2/rGO anode achieves a power density of 310 mW m‐2 with simultaneous removal of organic waste.