Modification of electrodes to boost electricity generation in plant microbial fuel cells
https://doi.org/10.26907/2542-064X.2025.2.201-222
Abstract
Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFC) offer a promising alternative to traditional electricity sources. However, their practical application is limited due to poor electrochemical performance, which is enhanced using various electrode modifications. In this study, MnO2 was electrochemically deposited on the surface of carbon felt and then used as a bifunctional material for the anode and cathode configurations in PMFC systems. The modified carbon felt samples were characterized in terms of electrochemically active surface area and the number of defects determined using cyclic voltammetry and Raman spectroscopy. The resulting density power was 15, 2, and 33 mW/m2 for the control system, PMFC-anode-MnO2, and PMFC-cathodeMnO2, respectively. Thus, the deposition of MnO2 on the cathode in PMFC systems results in a twofold increase of electrical energy generation.
Supporting agencies: This study was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of state assignment no. FEWG-2024-0003 “Biocatalytic systems based on microbial cells, subcellular structures, and enzymes in combination with nanomaterials”
About the Authors
R. V. Lepikash
Tula State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Roman V. Lepikash - Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Ecological and Medical Biotechnology.
Tula
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
N. S. Zakharov
Tula State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Nikita S. Zakharov - Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Ecological and Medical Biotechnology.
Tula
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
P. V. Oskin
Tula State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Pavel V. Oskin - Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Ecological and Medical Biotechnology.
Tula
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
D. I. Stom
Irkutsk State University; Baikal Museum, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Irkutsk National Research Technical University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Devard I. Stom - Dr. Sci. (Biology), Full Professor, Honored Worker of the Higher School of Russian Federation, Chief Researcher, Baikal Museum, Siberian Branch of RAS; Professor of Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Soil Studies, Head of Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Research Institute of Biology, Irkutsk SU; Professor of Department of Engineering Communications and Life Support Systems, Irkutsk NRTU.
Irkutsk; Listvyanka
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
D. G. Lavrova
Tula State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Daria G. Lavrova - Cand. Sci. (Chemistry), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Ecological and Medical Biotechnology.
Tula
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
S. V. Alferov
Tula State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Sergey V. Alferov - Cand. Sci. (Chemistry), Head of Laboratory of Ecological and Medical Biotechnology.
Tula
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
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For citations:
Lepikash R.V., Zakharov N.S., Oskin P.V., Stom D.I., Lavrova D.G., Alferov S.V. Modification of electrodes to boost electricity generation in plant microbial fuel cells. Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta Seriya Estestvennye Nauki. 2025;167(2):201-222. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26907/2542-064X.2025.2.201-222
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