Boosting Microbial Fuel Cell Efficiency via Ultrasonic Pretreatment of Water Hyacinth Biomass

The main objective of the study was to investigate the viability of utilizing ultrasonically pretreated water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) biomass as a sustainable source for power production via the application in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). This treatment aims to address the challenges associated with water hyacinth management while simultaneously offering a viable solution to the prevailing issues of energy shortage and power inadequacy. Ultrasonic treatment was used to pretreat water hyacinth, since it is capable of deconstructing lignocellulose biomass and has the distinct advantage of being both energy-efficient and cost-effective. The use of ultrasonic treatment to mitigate and control the growth of water hyacinth has been investigated as a possible strategy. Using high-frequency sound waves, usually above human hearing (20 kHz), ultrasonic therapy breaks down the cellular structure of the plants biomass. A decrease in chemical oxygen demand of 91.1% and Coulombic efficiency of 11% was observed. The electrochemical analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, power density, and current density were assessed under optimal experimental circumstances and in the presence of preisolated electroactive bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At a substrate concentration of 7 g/L, the highest power density of 9.7 W/m³ was attained along with an internal resistance of 89.5 Ω. This study reveals that water hyacinth biomass is one of the most plentiful renewable energy resources and a possible alternative to fossil fuels.