Microalgae mediated bio-electrocatalytic fuel cell facilitates bioelectricity generation through oxygenic photomixotrophic mechanism

Electrogenic activity of oxygenic photo-bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell (PhFCOX) under mixotrophic mode was evaluated using atmospheric CO2 and domestic wastewater as carbon sources for harnessing bioelectricity with mixed microalgae as anodic biocatalyst. PhFCOX operation showed good electrogenic activity (3.55 μW/m2) associated with higher biomass growth (2.87 g/l) and chlorophyll content (5.12 mg/l). Electrogenic activity was relatively higher during the day time (46 mV; 0.6 mA) compared to the night (6 mV; 0.01 mA). Performance of PhFCOX undergoing oxygenic photosynthesis (DO; 3.5 mg/l) was compared with the mixotrophic fuel cell (PhFCAX) with photosynthetic bacteria as biocatalyst under anoxygenic conditions (DO; 0.45 mg/l). The dissolved oxygen produced during photolysis of water in oxygenic photosynthesis is a major limiting factor affecting the electrogenic activity. Voltammetric and amperometric analysis along with electron transfer kinetics (Tafel analysis) supported the bio-electrochemical behavior of PhFCOX and PhFCAX.