Characterization and performance of anodic mixed culture biofilms in submersed microbial fuel cells.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were designed for laboratory scale experiments to study electroactive biofilms in anodic chambers. Anodic biofilms and current generation during biofilm growth were examined using single chambered MFCs submersed in algal catholyte. A culture of the marine green alga Nanochloropsis salina was used as a biocatholyte, and a rumen fluid microbiota was the anodic chamber inoculum. Electrical impedance spectroscopy was performed under varying external resistance once a week to identify mass transport limitations at the biofilm-electrolyte interface during the four-week experiment. The power generation increased from 249 to 461mWm-2during the time course. Confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging showed that the depth of the bacterial biofilm on the anode was about 65μm. There were more viable bacteria on the biofilm surface and near the biofilm-electrolyte interface as compared to those close to the anode surface. The results suggest that biofilm growth on the anode creates a conductive layer, which can help overcome mass transport limitations in MFCs.
Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Ohio State University, 590 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan. Electronic address: saba.20@osu.edu.
Beenish
B
Saba
Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Ohio State University, 590 Woody Hayes Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Ann D
AD
Christy
Department of Animal Sciences, Ohio State University, 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Zhongtang
Z
Yu
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Anne C
AC
Co
Piketon Research and Extension Center, Ohio State University South Centers, 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, OH 45661, USA.
Rafiq
R
Islam
Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Olli H
OH
Tuovinen
D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D007101:Immersion
Biofilms; Impedance spectroscopy; Microbial fuel cells; Power generation