In this work, innovative polyaniline (PANI)-coated polymeric membranes were tested in long-term (>100 days) operated microbial fuel cells (PANI-MFC) to treat – besides acetate – various volatile fatty acid (VFA)-type feeds, including model and real, food waste-derived C 2 -C 5 mixtures. Current generation was assessed in comparison to MFCs using Nadir ultrafiltration membrane (Nadir-MFC), the neat counterpart of PANI-coated membrane. PANI-MFCs showed good reproducibility and increasing trend in peak current densities (180–250 mA m -2 ). Simulated progress curves based on the modified Gompertz-model revealed significant differences in charge generation kinetics between PANI-MFCs and Nadir-MFCs. in relation to membrane oxygen (k O ) and acetate (k S ) mass transfer coefficients. While k O values were similar (7.45±0.94 vs. 6.08±1.79×10 -3 cm s -1 ), the PANI-coated membrane exhibited a significantly lower (40%) kS (1.48±0.29 vs. 2.40±0.33×10 -5 cm s -1 ). After >140 days, biofouling analyses and contact angle measurements indicated improved hydrophilicity and anti-biofouling potential of the PANI-coated membrane (66.6±3.1 vs. 73.9±2.0 deg). • Polyaniline (PANI)-coated ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was tested in MFC. • Volatile fatty acid mixtures were utilized in MFCs with PANI and UF membranes. • Kinetic modeling reveals faster charge generation with PANI-MFC compared to UF-MFC. • PANI-coating results in more hydrophilic surface and reduces substrate crossover. • Distinct biofouling compositions linked to membrane physico-chemical properties.
Szakács et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: