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Development and characterisation of self-assembled graphene hydrogel-based anodes for bioelectrochemical systems
Mariela I Lescano1, Aurelien Gasnier2, Maria L Pedano3,4
1Instituto de Energia y Desarrollo Sustentable, Centro Atomico Bariloche, Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica Av. E. Bustillo 9500, 8400 S. C. de Bariloche Rio Negro Argentina mbprados@cab.cnea.gov.ar +54 294 444 5107.
RSC Advances
|May 11, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed 3D graphene hydrogel electrodes for bioelectrochemical systems. These electrodes enhance microbial electrolysis cell performance by enabling greater bacterial colonization and faster substrate oxidation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) require efficient electrodes for optimal performance.
- Graphene-based materials offer promising properties for electrode applications in BES.
- Developing scalable and high-performance electrodes remains a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple and scalable method for producing high-efficiency 3D graphene-based electrodes (GH).
- To investigate the structural and compositional characteristics of the synthesized GH.
- To evaluate the performance of GH in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC).
Main Methods:
- Self-assembly of graphene oxide followed by slow reduction with ascorbic acid on conductive mesh-works (carbon cloth, stainless-steel).
- Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy.
- Electrode performance testing via chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry in an MEC with G. sulfurreducens.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced 3D graphene hydrogel (GH) electrodes with a broad pore size distribution (>1 μm).
- Demonstrated bacterial colonization within the GH framework, indicating suitability for microbial applications.
- GH electrodes exhibited higher bacterial loading capacity and substrate oxidation rates compared to other carbonaceous materials.
- Significant enhancement in MEC performance was observed using the developed GH electrodes.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a simple and scalable route to high-efficiency 3D graphene hydrogel electrodes.
- The macro-porous structure and chemical properties of GH facilitate efficient bacterial colonization and activity.
- These GH electrodes represent a significant advancement for improving the performance of microbial electrolysis cells.
