One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems
Biochar is a kind of carbon-rich material formed by pyrolysis of biomass at high temperature in the absence or limitation of oxygen. It has abundant pore structure and a large surface area, which could be considered the beneficial characteristics for electrodes of microbial electrochemical systems....
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| author | Kui You Zihan Zhou Chao Gao Qiao Yang |
| author_facet | Kui You Zihan Zhou Chao Gao Qiao Yang |
| author_sort | Kui You |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Biochar is a kind of carbon-rich material formed by pyrolysis of biomass at high temperature in the absence or limitation of oxygen. It has abundant pore structure and a large surface area, which could be considered the beneficial characteristics for electrodes of microbial electrochemical systems. In this study, reed was used as the raw material of biochar and six biochar-based electrode materials were obtained by three methods, including one-step biochar cathodes (BC 800 and BC 700), biochar/polyethylene composite cathodes (BP 5:5 and BP 6:4), and biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive composite cathode (BPP 5:1:4 and BPP 4:1:5). The basic physical properties and electrochemical properties of the self-made biochar electrode materials were characterized. Selected biochar-based electrode materials were used as the cathode of sediment microbial electrochemical reactors. The reactor with pure biochar electrode (BC 800) achieves a maximum output power density of 9.15 ± 0.02 mW/m<sup>2</sup>, which increases the output power by nearly 80% compared with carbon felt. When using a biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive (BPP 5:1:4) composite cathode, the output power was increased by 2.33 times. Under the premise of ensuring the molding of the material, the higher the content of biochar, the better the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. The treatment of reed powder before pyrolysis is an important factor for the molding of biochar. The one-step molding biochar cathode had satisfactory performance in sediment microbial electrochemical systems. By exploring the biochar-based electrode, waste biomass could be reused, which is beneficial for the environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:13:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6c7215883f6481097b87aef92dd2328 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4344 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:13:48Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-c6c7215883f6481097b87aef92dd23282023-11-21T16:02:04ZengMDPI AGCatalysts2073-43442021-04-0111450810.3390/catal11040508One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical SystemsKui You0Zihan Zhou1Chao Gao2Qiao Yang3School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Dagong Road, Liaodongwan District, Panjin 124221, ChinaSchool of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Dagong Road, Liaodongwan District, Panjin 124221, ChinaSchool of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Dagong Road, Liaodongwan District, Panjin 124221, ChinaSchool of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, No. 2 Dagong Road, Liaodongwan District, Panjin 124221, ChinaBiochar is a kind of carbon-rich material formed by pyrolysis of biomass at high temperature in the absence or limitation of oxygen. It has abundant pore structure and a large surface area, which could be considered the beneficial characteristics for electrodes of microbial electrochemical systems. In this study, reed was used as the raw material of biochar and six biochar-based electrode materials were obtained by three methods, including one-step biochar cathodes (BC 800 and BC 700), biochar/polyethylene composite cathodes (BP 5:5 and BP 6:4), and biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive composite cathode (BPP 5:1:4 and BPP 4:1:5). The basic physical properties and electrochemical properties of the self-made biochar electrode materials were characterized. Selected biochar-based electrode materials were used as the cathode of sediment microbial electrochemical reactors. The reactor with pure biochar electrode (BC 800) achieves a maximum output power density of 9.15 ± 0.02 mW/m<sup>2</sup>, which increases the output power by nearly 80% compared with carbon felt. When using a biochar/polyaniline/hot-melt adhesive (BPP 5:1:4) composite cathode, the output power was increased by 2.33 times. Under the premise of ensuring the molding of the material, the higher the content of biochar, the better the electrochemical performance of the electrodes. The treatment of reed powder before pyrolysis is an important factor for the molding of biochar. The one-step molding biochar cathode had satisfactory performance in sediment microbial electrochemical systems. By exploring the biochar-based electrode, waste biomass could be reused, which is beneficial for the environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/4/508microbial electrochemical systemsbiocharelectrode materialpower densityelectricity generation |
| spellingShingle | Kui You Zihan Zhou Chao Gao Qiao Yang One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems Catalysts microbial electrochemical systems biochar electrode material power density electricity generation |
| title | One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems |
| title_full | One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems |
| title_fullStr | One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems |
| title_short | One-Step Preparation of Biochar Electrodes and Their Applications in Sediment Microbial Electrochemical Systems |
| title_sort | one step preparation of biochar electrodes and their applications in sediment microbial electrochemical systems |
| topic | microbial electrochemical systems biochar electrode material power density electricity generation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/4/508 |
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