Synergistic medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate–hydrochar composite anodes for stable, high-power microbial fuel cells with customized biodegradation behavior
摘要
The advancement of sustainable bioelectrochemical systems requires anode materials that simultaneously deliver high power output, structural robustness, and controlled biodegradability. This study develops a new class of composite bioanodes by integrating biosynthesized medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) with sugarcane bagasse–derived hydrochars possessing tailored surface chemistries namely raw (PHA-R), phosphate (PHA-P), and sulfonated (PHA-S), and compares their performance to a carbon-nanotube equivalent (PHA-C). The biocompatible mcl-PHA matrix acts as a multifunctional binder that improves electrode cohesion and ion transport, while hydrochar porosity and functional groups regulate interfacial charge transfer and microbial adhesion. Polarization analysis shows that the PHA-R composite achieves an average open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 938 ± 4 mV with a maximum power density of 1.5 ± 0.1 W/m2 and current density of 3.2 ± 0.2 A/m2, outperforming its non-polymeric counterpart. PHA-P and PHA-S composites also enhance power output up to 1.4 ± 0.1 W/m2, and current generation up to 3.6 ± 0.1 A/m2 relative to their respective pristine hydrochar MFC setups, highlighting strong polymer-carbon synergy. The PHA-C control MFC set up recorded the lowest power output exhibiting 901 ± 4 mV, 0.4 ± 0.0 W/m2 and 1.7 ± 0.1 A/m2. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals that PHA-R and PHA-P composites substantially lower charge-transfer resistance compared with the control (PHA-C). Post-MFC operation, PHA-P and PHA-R retained the highest electrochemical activities, with specific capacitances of 26.3 and 16.9 F/g respectively, while PHA-S showed minimal capacitance of 4.6 F/g. Gel permeation chromatography further indicates reductions in mcl-PHA molecular weight, suggesting that biodegradation behavior can be modulated, although swelling and degradation should be carefully managed to maintain long-term anode stability.