Graphite Sheets as High-Performance Low-Cost Anodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Using Real Food Wastewater

Abstract

Graphite paper is introduced as efficient and low-cost anode in an air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) for simultaneous wastewater treatment and power generation using real food wastewater. Graphite paper as the cheapest investigated material provided the best electrochemical results in an MFC with an excellent open cell voltage. The significantly increased power generation could be attributed to the large surface area of the anode, leading to enhanced bacterial attachment on the graphite anode surface. Regarding wastewater treatment, the graphite anode exhibited the highest removal of organic pollutants and the highest coulombic efficiency. It shows an excellent efficiency as a bio-anode in the air-MFC for producing electricity and treating industrial wastewaters without requiring external mediators.