Microbial fuel cells with polyaniline nanofiber/nanoparticle electrodes: a promising approach for sustainable electricity generation

Electrode modifications employing conductive and nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) have been acknowledged as an effective strategy to enhance the interaction between electrode surfaces and bacteria, thereby augmenting the performance of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). However, the specific influence of PANI morphology on power generation in MFCs remains unknown. In this study, two nanostructures of polyaniline, viz., polyaniline nanofiber (PANI-NF) and polyaniline nanoparticle (PANI-NP), were electro-polymerized on a peanut shell biochar (PSB) electrode by chronoamperometry. The physico-chemical properties of PSB, PSB/PANI-NF, and PSB/PANI-NP were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The electrochemical performance of the electrodes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Remarkably, the PSB/PANI-NP composite exhibited notably heightened electrochemical activity and superior electrode-electrolyte interaction, leading to a significant enhancement in MFC performance. MFCs equipped with PSB/PANI-NP electrodes achieved a power output of 600 mW/m² surpassing the performance of MFCs utilizing PSB/PANI-NF and PSB electrodes by 2.8 and 25 times, respectively. This investigation elucidates the pivotal role of PANI morphology on power production in MFC. The application of electrodes in microbial fuel cell was successfully demonstrated.Polyaniline NFs and NPs were electropolymerized on the surface peanut shell biochar electrode.Polyaniline NPs exhibited superior electrochemical activity and interfacial properties.MFCs equipped with PSB/PANI-NP electrodes achieved a power output of 600 mW/m². The application of electrodes in microbial fuel cell was successfully demonstrated. Polyaniline NFs and NPs were electropolymerized on the surface peanut shell biochar electrode. Polyaniline NPs exhibited superior electrochemical activity and interfacial properties. MFCs equipped with PSB/PANI-NP electrodes achieved a power output of 600 mW/m².