Innovative application of flaxseeds nanopowder as supportive material with multiwalled carbon nanotubes for anode nanomodification in microbial fuel cell for boosting the energy recovery

Abstract

In this experimental investigation, a novel application of flaxseeds nanopowder as a supportive material to MWCNTs for anode coating in dual-chamber MFC is investigated. Herein, four identically designed tubular enclosed dual-chamber MFCs are structured and run continually for 90 days. Actual hospital wastewater (HWW) is selected to fuel the MFCs. All MFCs are occupied with cylindrical graphite anode electrodes (GF), but at different coating conditions. Uncoated GF in MFC1, GF coated by pristine MWCNTs in MFC2, Functionalized MWCNTs (acid activated- MWCNTs) in MFC3, and functionalized MWCNTs mixed with flaxseeds nanopowder (functionalized MWCNTs/FNP) in MFC4. Efficiency of the MFCs is predestined based on the organic content (COD) removal from HWW and power output as well. The efficiencies of COD elimination are 79.86 %, 81.65 %, and 82.56 %, obtained in MFC1 and MFC2, MFC3, respectively, confirming that the efficiency values are relatively comparable in the three MFCs, whereby, higher efficiency up to 91.60 % is observed in MFC4. On the other hand, maximum power outputs of 454.71, 648.02, 807.41, and 1072.65 mW/m³ are observed MFC1, MFC2, MFC3, and MFC4, respectively indicating the potential of flaxseeds nanopowder to support the functionalized MWCNTs for COD elimination efficiency and maximizing power output.