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Enhancing diversified extracellular electron transfer (EET) processes through N-MXene-modified non-adhesive hydrogel bioanodes

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Abstract

The focus of this study is to develop a high-performance anode material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). PEDOT:PSS and nitrogen-modified MXene were combined to create a hydrogel composite material called PPNM, which was drop-cast onto carbon felt (CF) as the MFCs anode. The PPNM exhibited a higher peak power density of 4.78 W m−2, an increase of 332% compared to the CF anode. It is worth noting that the PPNM Hydrogel maintains its rough and porous structure, providing favorable sites for bacterial colonization. The introduction of N-MXene has improved the electrochemical performance of the hydrogel, particularly impacting the mediated electron transfer process. Microbial community analysis revealed the presence of more electrochemically active species on the PPNM anode. These findings highlight the potential of PPNM hydrogel and pave the way for similar strategies in achieving high-performance anodes in MFCs.

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Acknowledgements

The project was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (22278095).

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (22278095).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China

    Linhan Zhong, Ye Chen & Qing Wen

  2. China Energy Longyuan Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100039, China

    Yang Yang

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  1. Linhan Zhong
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  2. Ye Chen
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  3. Qing Wen
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  4. Yang Yang
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Contributions

Linhan Zhong: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Investigation, Formal analysis, Writing—original draft. Ye Chen: Resources, Funding acquisition, Validation, Writing—review & editing, Project administration. Qing Wen: Resources, Funding acquisition, Validation, Writing—review & editing. Yang Yang: Resources, Funding acquisition, Validation.

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Correspondence to Ye Chen.

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Zhong, L., Chen, Y., Wen, Q. et al. Enhancing diversified extracellular electron transfer (EET) processes through N-MXene-modified non-adhesive hydrogel bioanodes. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 47, 105–117 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-023-02950-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-023-02950-w

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