微生物燃料电池阳极电极的新型材料与修饰方法

Application of recent modification methods and materials in microbial fuel cell anode electrodes

近年来,微生物燃料电池(Microbial fuel cells,MFCs)发展迅速,然而其功率输出仍然较低,其主要限制因素为接种物的活性及电极材料的选择.阳极电极常被作为有效的微生物载体,并介导电子的快速传递;因此使用新型的电极材料或修饰方法将成为提高MFC效率的重要手段.根据材料的物理特性及改性方法,将阳极电极材料划分为5类:修饰后的传统碳电极材料、石墨烯修饰电极材料、天然生物质电极材料、碳纳米管修饰电极材料以及金属修饰电极材料,并着重介绍了其中的热点——石墨烯修饰电极材料与碳纳米管修饰电极材料.通过分析,归纳出部分能够促进微生物燃料电池电化学表现的优异性能,例如强导电性、生物相容性、高比表面积及耐腐蚀性等;同时,修饰过后的纳米材料、石墨烯材料及三维大孔材料将成为日后的研究重点.未来,研究者们在选择电极材料的时候,应当同时考虑性能的差异性和成本的可控性.人们只有将新材料及改性方法投入到实际的大规模应用中,才能合理有效地实现废水处理及生产清洁能源的目的.

Although microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have evolved extensively in recent years, their ability to generate power remains limited due to low active inoculums and the poor selection of electrode materials. Anode electrodes are generally used as effective microbial carriers and can facilitate the rapid transfer of conductive ions. Therefore, the use of new electrode materials or modification of methods are necessary to improve the efficiency of MFCs. Anode electrodes are divided into five categories depending on physical characteristics and the methods used to modify the material: the modified traditional carbon electrode material, graphene-modified electrode material, natural biomass electrode material, carbon nanotube-modified electrode material, and metal-modified electrode material;of these, the carbon nanotube-modified and graphene-modified electrode materials have been well studied. The objective of this review is to comparatively investigate the application and performance of new materials in the anode of MFC and to relate the advantages and disadvantages of various materials and methods used. We summarize some excellent properties that can improve the performance of anode electrodes, such as strong conductivity, biocompatibility, high specific surface area, corrosion resistance, etc. Modified nanomaterials, graphene materials, and three-dimensional macroporous materials could emerge as focal points for future research. Considering the differences between performance and material cost, electrode constituents could be more effective in the future. Actual large-scale applications of new materials and modification methods would also be helpful to realize the proficiency of wastewater treatment and the production of clean energy reasonably and effectively.