Microbial fuel cell: Bio-energy production from Nigerian corn starch wastewater using iron electrodes

ABSTRACT

The emerging increasing issues with the use of fossil fuel-derived energy resources and related challenges like pollution, global warming and climate change are boosters for adoption of renewable energy resource. Energy is a key criteria for socio-economic development of any nation, thus the search for an environmentally-friendly solution. Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a promising method for the generation of green energy from waste. This study investigated the use of Nigerian corn starch wastewater as substrate for a dual-chamber MFC set-up. Iron electrodes were used for electron transfer. Up to 1.43 mA current, 0.97 V, 8.10 mA/cm2 maximum current density and 7.7 mW/cm2 maximum power density was achieved in 9 days of the experiment. The results present a relatively improved version when compared to previous studies. The experiment proves a promising alternative energy source for off-grid power solution, during Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 era.