Bioinspired Nanosucker Array for Enhancing Bioelectricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Adv Mater. 2016 Jan 13;28(2):270-5. doi: 10.1002/adma.201503609. Epub 2015 Nov 9.

Abstract

A bioinspired active anode with a suction effect is demonstrated for microbial fuel cells by constructing polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubular arrays on carbon textiles. The oxygen in the inner space of the nanosucker can be depleted by micro-organisms with the capability of facul-tative respiration, forming a vacuum, which then activates the electrode to draw the microorganism by suction and thus improve the bioelectricity generation.

Keywords: anodes; bioelectricity generation; bioelectrochemistry; microbial fuel cells; nanosucker arrays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzenesulfonates / chemistry
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Octopodiformes
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Textiles
  • Vacuum

Substances

  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Polymers
  • Pyrroles
  • polypyrrole
  • Carbon
  • 4-toluenesulfonic acid
  • Oxygen