Scholarlink

<p>The growing global energy demand and the limitations of fossil fuels which are polluting, costly, geographically restricted, and non-renewable, have prompted the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Among these, bio-photovoltaic systems (BPVs) represent a promising green technology with significant potential for renewable energy production. In this study, a plant-based biofuel cell (PBFC) was designed to generate electricity by exploiting photosynthesis as a driving force for microbial electrochemical activity in the rhizosphere. The experimental setup consisted of a bioanode and a biocathode inserted into a soil-filled container hosting <i>Crassula ovata</i>. The bioanode was positioned near the plant roots to benefit from nutrient-rich microbial interactions, while the cathode was placed at the periphery, away from the rhizosphere. Electricity generation occurred at the bioanode through microbial oxidation of photosynthesis-derived glucose, with oxygen reduction taking place at the cathode. The influence of photosynthetic activity on cell performance was evaluated under different illumination conditions and in the absence of the plant. The results demonstrated that photosynthesis markedly enhanced PBFC efficiency, yielding a maximum power density of 330 nW/cm<sup>2</sup> under high Light intensity, compared to 130 nW/cm<sup>2</sup> in the dark and 126 nW/cm<sup>2</sup> without the plant. Despite the inherent limitations of biological systems, an amplification circuit consisting of an operational amplifier, a photovoltaic panel, and a DC–DC boost converter was integrated to overcome the low power output. This modification improved the output voltage to 2670&#xa0;mV, in contrast to only 91&#xa0;mV without amplification. Furthermore, the amplified bioelectricity was successfully applied to electrodialysis for the treatment of heavy metal–contaminated water, achieving a desalination efficiency of 28.75% after 3&#xa0;h. These findings highlight the potential of PBFCs as a sustainable bioenergy source, while also demonstrating their applicability in environmental remediation processes.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Bio-photovoltaic electric energy generation from photosynthetic plant-based fuel cell: application to the desalination of a heavy metal solution

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月8日

查看全文
  • Bachir Nadir Benkhaoula,
  • Mostefa Kameche,
  • Abdelkader Benderrag,
  • Mohammed Benghernit,
  • Aghilas Brahmi,
  • Boumediene Haddou,
  • Roquiya Laghrib,
  • M. Naushad,
  • Christophe Innocent,
  • Asmaa Benettayeb

摘要

The growing global energy demand and the limitations of fossil fuels which are polluting, costly, geographically restricted, and non-renewable, have prompted the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Among these, bio-photovoltaic systems (BPVs) represent a promising green technology with significant potential for renewable energy production. In this study, a plant-based biofuel cell (PBFC) was designed to generate electricity by exploiting photosynthesis as a driving force for microbial electrochemical activity in the rhizosphere. The experimental setup consisted of a bioanode and a biocathode inserted into a soil-filled container hosting Crassula ovata. The bioanode was positioned near the plant roots to benefit from nutrient-rich microbial interactions, while the cathode was placed at the periphery, away from the rhizosphere. Electricity generation occurred at the bioanode through microbial oxidation of photosynthesis-derived glucose, with oxygen reduction taking place at the cathode. The influence of photosynthetic activity on cell performance was evaluated under different illumination conditions and in the absence of the plant. The results demonstrated that photosynthesis markedly enhanced PBFC efficiency, yielding a maximum power density of 330 nW/cm2 under high Light intensity, compared to 130 nW/cm2 in the dark and 126 nW/cm2 without the plant. Despite the inherent limitations of biological systems, an amplification circuit consisting of an operational amplifier, a photovoltaic panel, and a DC–DC boost converter was integrated to overcome the low power output. This modification improved the output voltage to 2670 mV, in contrast to only 91 mV without amplification. Furthermore, the amplified bioelectricity was successfully applied to electrodialysis for the treatment of heavy metal–contaminated water, achieving a desalination efficiency of 28.75% after 3 h. These findings highlight the potential of PBFCs as a sustainable bioenergy source, while also demonstrating their applicability in environmental remediation processes.

Graphical Abstract