Magnesium ferrite spinels as anode modifier for the treatment of Congo red and energy recovery in a single chambered microbial fuel cell

Khan, Nishat; Anwer, Abdul Hakeem; Khan, Mohammad Danish; Azam, Ameer; Ibhadon, Alex; Khan, Mohammad Zain

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Magnesium Ferrite (MgFe2O4) spinel structures prepared by a solid-state reaction was used as an anode modifier in the microbial fuel cell (MFC) treatment of Congo red dye. The performance of the reactors with unmodified stainless-steel mesh anode (CR-1) and MgFe2O4 coated stainless steel mesh anode (CR-2) were tested and compared followed by aerobic treatment. The peak power density was observed to be 295.936 (CR-1) and 430.336 mW/m2 (CR-2) revealing increased bioenergy output and better electron transfer in the reactor with the MgFe2O4 modified anode. The final decolourisation efficiencies were found to be 92.053% for CR-1 and 98.386% for CR-2. The formation of metabolites (diaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonate, 1-(biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(naphthalene-2-yl) diazene, benzidine and phthalic acid, monoethyl ether) during the anaerobic-aerobic biotreatment of azo dye was confirmed using Gas chromatography coupled Mass spectrometry system. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a uniform coating of MgFe2O4 on the anode surface with evidence of biofilm formation in the system. Electrochemical studies confirmed the superior performance of spinel coated anode with enhanced redox activity. In addition, the charge-discharge studies confirmed the high capacitive nature of the modified electrode improving the electrodes charge holding capacity. The study suggested an effective treatment strategy for the treatment of Congo red dye.

Citation

Khan, N., Anwer, A. H., Khan, M. D., Azam, A., Ibhadon, A., & Khan, M. Z. (in press). Magnesium ferrite spinels as anode modifier for the treatment of Congo red and energy recovery in a single chambered microbial fuel cell. Journal of hazardous materials, Article 124561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124561

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 10, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 14, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials
• Print ISSN: 0304-3894
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-3336
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Article Number: 124561
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124561
• Keywords: Activated sludge process; Azo dye; Bioelectrochemistry; Bioenergy; Ferrite spinel; Single chamber MFC
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3673953