Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation
Human society annually produces nearly 100 billion gallons of wastewater, containing approximately 3600 GWh of energy. This study introduces a proof of concept utilizing graphene materials to extract and instantly store this energy. A hybrid device, mimicking a microbial fuel cell, acts as both a ba...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Inorganics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/12/3/84 |
| _version_ | 1797240641814528000 |
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| author | Sambhu Sapkota Matthew Hummel Mahzuzah Zahan Sushma P. Karanam Jejal Bathi Namita Shrestha Zhengrong Gu Venkataramana Gadhamshetty |
| author_facet | Sambhu Sapkota Matthew Hummel Mahzuzah Zahan Sushma P. Karanam Jejal Bathi Namita Shrestha Zhengrong Gu Venkataramana Gadhamshetty |
| author_sort | Sambhu Sapkota |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Human society annually produces nearly 100 billion gallons of wastewater, containing approximately 3600 GWh of energy. This study introduces a proof of concept utilizing graphene materials to extract and instantly store this energy. A hybrid device, mimicking a microbial fuel cell, acts as both a battery and supercapacitor. Wastewater serves as the electrolyte, with indigenous microorganisms on the graphene electrode acting as biocatalysts. The device features a capacitive electrode using a 3D nickel foam modified with a plasma-exfoliated graphene mixture. Compared to controls, the Gr/Ni configuration shows a 150-fold increase in power output (2.58 W/m<sup>2</sup>) and a 48-fold increase in current density (12 A/m<sup>2</sup>). The Gr/Ni/biofilm interface demonstrates outstanding charge storage capability (19,400 F/m<sup>2</sup>) as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Microscopy, spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests were employed to elucidate the superior performance of Gr/Ni electrodes. Ultimately, the capacitive energy extracted from wastewater can power small electrical equipment in water infrastructure, addressing energy needs in remote regions without access to a typical power grid. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:10:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7a6c1f89830495e9e3a72edbcc6a692 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-6740 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:10:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Inorganics |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7a6c1f89830495e9e3a72edbcc6a6922024-03-27T13:47:07ZengMDPI AGInorganics2304-67402024-03-011238410.3390/inorganics12030084Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy InnovationSambhu Sapkota0Matthew Hummel1Mahzuzah Zahan2Sushma P. Karanam3Jejal Bathi4Namita Shrestha5Zhengrong Gu6Venkataramana Gadhamshetty7Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E Saint Joseph Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701, USADepartment of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2100 University Station, Brookings, SD 57701, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E Saint Joseph Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E Saint Joseph Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701, USADepartment of Civil and Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, 5500 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47803, USADepartment of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, 2100 University Station, Brookings, SD 57701, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota Mines, 501 E Saint Joseph Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57701, USAHuman society annually produces nearly 100 billion gallons of wastewater, containing approximately 3600 GWh of energy. This study introduces a proof of concept utilizing graphene materials to extract and instantly store this energy. A hybrid device, mimicking a microbial fuel cell, acts as both a battery and supercapacitor. Wastewater serves as the electrolyte, with indigenous microorganisms on the graphene electrode acting as biocatalysts. The device features a capacitive electrode using a 3D nickel foam modified with a plasma-exfoliated graphene mixture. Compared to controls, the Gr/Ni configuration shows a 150-fold increase in power output (2.58 W/m<sup>2</sup>) and a 48-fold increase in current density (12 A/m<sup>2</sup>). The Gr/Ni/biofilm interface demonstrates outstanding charge storage capability (19,400 F/m<sup>2</sup>) as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Microscopy, spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests were employed to elucidate the superior performance of Gr/Ni electrodes. Ultimately, the capacitive energy extracted from wastewater can power small electrical equipment in water infrastructure, addressing energy needs in remote regions without access to a typical power grid.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/12/3/84biobatterybattery–supercapacitormicrobial fuel cellsgraphene |
| spellingShingle | Sambhu Sapkota Matthew Hummel Mahzuzah Zahan Sushma P. Karanam Jejal Bathi Namita Shrestha Zhengrong Gu Venkataramana Gadhamshetty Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation Inorganics biobattery battery–supercapacitor microbial fuel cells graphene |
| title | Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation |
| title_full | Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation |
| title_fullStr | Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation |
| title_short | Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation |
| title_sort | graphene infused hybrid biobattery supercapacitor powered by wastewater for sustainable energy innovation |
| topic | biobattery battery–supercapacitor microbial fuel cells graphene |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/12/3/84 |
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