Abstract
Microfiltration membrane, a potential alternative for traditional proton exchange membrane (PEM) due to its strong ability of proton transfer, cost-effectiveness, sustainability and high anti-pollution capability in microbial fuel cell (MFC). In this study, a novel MFC using bilayer microfiltration membrane as separator, inoculated sludge as biocatalyst and P-nitroaniline (PNA) as electron donor was successfully constructed to evaluate its performance. Furthermore, we also investigated the effects of initial PNA concentration, co-substrate (acetate) and cultivated microorganisms on MFC performance. Results showed that the maximum power density of 4.43, 3.05, 2.62 and 2.18 mW m−2 was acquired with 50, 100, 150 and 300 mg L−1 of PNA as substrate, respectively. However, with the addition of 500 mg L−1 of acetate into reaction system contained 100 mg L−1 of PNA, the higher power production of 6.24 mW m−2 was obtained, which was 2.05 times higher than that using 100 mg L−1 of PNA as the sole substrate. Meanwhile, the MFC working on cultivated microorganisms displayed a maximal power density of 7.32 mW m−2 and a maximum PNA degradation efficiency of 54.75%. And after an electricity production cycle, the number of microbes in the anode chamber significantly increased. This study provides a promising technology for bioelectricity generation by biodegrading biorefractory pollutants in wastewater.
•Degradation of PNA and simultaneous electricity generation was achieved in MFC.•Traditional proton exchange membrane was substituted by microfiltration membrane.•MFC performance can be enhanced by co-substrate and cultivated microorganisms.•Some improvements are proposed to heighten the MFC performance.•The novel MFC is of great potential for bioelectricity generation from wastewater.