Performance Enhancement of Microbial Fuel Cells Using Tea Leaves-Derived Nanomaterials and Activated Carbon from Rice and Corn Straw

This study investigates an enhanced Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) system for simultaneous
wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation. A Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a
system that uses naturally occurring microorganisms to treat wastewater while
converting organic pollutants into electrical energy. The system utilizes agricultural
waste materials, where rice and corn straw are converted into activated carbon for
electrode modification. This approach enhances the structural properties of the
electrodes, increasing porosity and surface area, which improves microbial attachment
and facilitates efficient electron transfer during wastewater treatment. As a result, an
initial power density of 226 mW/m² was achieved proving reduction in Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD), indicating effective pollutant removal. To further improve wastewater
treatment efficiency and energy recovery, tea-leaves-derived nanomaterials were
integrated onto the electrodes to enhance microbial adhesion and system stability
within the water environment. In addition, microbial activity was stimulated using
glucose-enriched sludge to optimize the degradation of organic pollutants and increase
electron production. The optimized system demonstrated a significant improvement in
performance, reaching a power density of 390 mW/m² which indicates an expected and
improved efficiency in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal. Expected to improve
wastewater purification alongside higher bioenergy generation. This project presents a
cost-effective and scalable solution for wastewater treatment by transforming
agricultural waste into functional electrode materials, offering a sustainable approach
for improving water quality and energy recovery in resource-limited regions.