In a significant stride towards sustainable energy and environmental remediation, researchers have developed an innovative anode material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using enset corm biomass, a widely available agricultural waste. The study, led by Getabalew Shifera Weldegrum from the Department of Chemistry at Mattu University, was recently published in the journal “Nature Scientific Reports.”
Microbial fuel cells hold promise as a green technology capable of generating energy while treating wastewater. However, their widespread adoption has been hindered by low energy productivity and the high cost of anode materials. Weldegrum and his team addressed these challenges by creating a novel anode using a biosynthetic graphene derivative derived from enset corm, a staple crop in Ethiopia.
The researchers further enhanced the anode’s performance by incorporating magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, creating a composite material that not only improved energy generation but also demonstrated remarkable efficiency in removing toxic heavy metals from wastewater. “The composite anode showed a significant increase in power and current density, making it a viable candidate for commercial applications,” Weldegrum explained.
The study revealed that the enset corm-based anode achieved impressive remediation efficiencies of 70.6% for chromium (VI) and 65.1% for lead (II). The composite anode performed even better, with efficiencies of 79.2% and 73.8% for the same metals, respectively. Moreover, the composite anode delivered a maximum power density of 39.77 mW/m² and a current density of 1171 mA/m², outperforming the enset corm-based anode alone.
The implications of this research are far-reaching for the energy and environmental sectors. By utilizing agricultural waste, the technology offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for enhancing MFC performance. “This study opens up new possibilities for using locally available biomass to improve MFC technology, particularly in regions where enset corm is cultivated,” Weldegrum noted.
The findings could pave the way for future developments in MFC technology, making it more economically feasible and environmentally friendly. As the world seeks innovative solutions to address energy demands and pollution, this research provides a promising avenue for advancing sustainable practices in the energy sector.