Electrode modification and its application in microbial electrolysis cell
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Date
2022-02-04T00:00:00
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Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
The microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a sustainable technology that degrades organic substrate to produce hydrogen, an important energy carrier. However, its large-scale practical application is hampered because of several factors including electrodes material, reactor designs, substrates, and high-cost catalysts. Electrodes in particular are fundamental components which determine redox reaction and transport of electric charge. The surface of the electrode is where the equilibrium of redox reaction is established between the electrode surface and the electrolyte (substrate). Therefore, modification of electrodes is emphasized much recently. Modified electrodes have wide application as electrochemical devices, chemical analysis, biosensors, and many more. The electrode modification is carried out to bring improved properties in the electrode by altering its morphology or molecular structure. Apart from high conductivity and low resistance, the modified electrodes develop increased sensitivity, selectivity, corrosion resistance, electrochemical, and chemical stability. They also possess large potential window. Moreover, electrode modification using nanomaterials and conductive polymers favors electrocatalysis process. Studies related to MEC using modified electrodes have reported improved wastewater treatment and hydrogen production along with enhanced energy recovery. In the present chapter, the mechanics of electrode in an electrochemical system, in general, is explained in detail. Moreover, the overview of different techniques for the modification of the electrodes and their applications in MEC has been expensively entailed. � 2022 Elsevier Inc.
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Keywords
Carbon electrodes, Electrode, Microbial electrolysis cells, Modification, Nanomaterials