Ibuprofen degradation and energy generation in a microbial fuel cell using a bioanode fabricated from devil fish bone char

Abstract

Ibuprofen degradation and energy generation in a single-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) were evaluated using a bioanode fabricated from devil fish bone char (BCA) synthesized by calcination in air atmosphere. Its performance was compared with conventional carbon felt (CF). Bone char textural properties were determined by nitrogen adsorption. Before and after, the bacterial colonization on the materials was analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy. Energy generation was evaluated by electrochemical techniques as open-circuit potential, linear sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Ibuprofen degradation was analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was measured. Results showed a specific area of 136 m²/g for BCA, having enough space to immobilize microorganisms. The micrographs confirmed the biofilm formation on the electrode materials. Over the 14 days, MFC with BCA reached a maximum power density of 4.26 mW/m², 175% higher than CF, and an electron transfer resistance 2.1 times lower than it. This coincides with the COD removal and ibuprofen degradation efficiencies, which were 43.6% and 34% for BCA and 31.8% and 27% for CF. Hence, these findings confirmed that BCA in MFC could provide an alternative electrode material for ibuprofen degradation and energy generation.

Keywords:

• COD removal
• energy generation
• ibuprofen degradation
• maximum power density
• MFC technology

Acknowledgments

MMAF would like to thank to the ‘Comité Técnico para el Otorgamiento de Becas, Estudio, Apoyos Económicos y Licencias con Goce de Sueldo (COTEBAL)’ of the ‘Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)’ for the paid leave granted in the years 2020 and 2021.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, CONACyT, Mexico, under grants Nos. CONACyT CB-286990-2018 and CONACyT PN-3947-2018.