Enhanced performance study of microbial fuel cell using waste biomass-derived carbon electrode

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) efficiency was assessed by using biochar electrode. Electrodes were made of silicon (Si 0.4 ), zinc (Zn 0.4 ), and copper (Cu 0.4 ) in 40% proportions mixed with derived waste coconut shell (CS) biochar materials after the carbonization process. The specific surface area of CS-Si 0.4 (0.1920 m 2 g −1 ), CS-Zn 0.4 (0.2025 m 2 g −1 ), and CS-Cu 0.4 (0.2532 m 2 g −1 ) is higher when compared to Graphite Particle (GP) (0.2165 m 2 g −1 ). Electrodes’ power production outputs were CS-Si 0.4 ((19.22 ± 0.5) mW m −2 ), CS-Zn 0.4 ((26.40 ± 0.6) mW m −2 ), and CS-Cu 0.4 ((47.04 ± 0.5) mW m −2 ) similar to GP ((32 ± 0.5) mW m −2 ). Experimental results show that the CS-Cu 0.4 electrode provides maximum power output and efficiency. The inclusion of metals will increase surface area of biochar electrodes, and it increases the microbial fuel cell efficiency. The CS-Cu 0.4 electrodes are therefore feasible, biocompatible, and cost-effective for environmentally sustainable systems. Graphical abstract