The performance of microbial fuel cell with sodium alginate and super activated carbon composite gel modified anode

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the functions of wastewater treatment and power generation. The incorporation of modified anodes enhances the sustainable power generation performance of MFCs. In this study, to evaluate the feasibility of sodium alginate (SA) as a biocompatible binder, hydrogel mixed with super activated carbon (SAC) and SA was modified the carbon cloth anode of MFC. The results showed that the maximum output voltage in the SAC/SA hydrogel modified anode MFC was 0.028 V, which was increased by 115%, compared with the blank carbon cloth anode. The internal resistance of MFC was 9429 Ω, which was 18% lower than that of control (11560 Ω). The maximum power density was 6.14 mW/m², which was increased by 365% compared to the control. After modification of SAC/SA hydrogel, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency reached to 56.36% and was 12.72% higher than the control. Coulombic efficiency with modified anode MFC reached 17.65%, which was increased by 104%, compared with the control. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing SA as a biocompatible binder for anode modification, thereby imparting sustainable and enhanced power generation performance to MFCs. This study presented a new selectivity for harnessing algal bioresources and improving anode binders in future MFC applications.