Arylamine functionalization of carbon anodes for improved microbial electrocatalysis

Abstract

Introduction of arylamine functional groups to graphite electrodes results in improved initial catalysis for acetate oxidation by microbial biofilms over that observed on unmodified anodes. Arylamine modified anodes achieve a current density of 3.4 A m⁻² whilst unmodified anodes achieve only 1.3 A m⁻² during the first batch feed cycle. The surface functionalization strategy provides a route to enhancing microbial bioelectrochemical systems process performance and for studying the complex mechanisms involved in such systems.