Performance of Nickel Foam (NF) Cathode in Microbial Electro-synthesis System for Generating Methane and Acetate Production from CO2
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Keywords:
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Mixed-culture, Biocatalyst, Nickel Foam, CO2, Acetate Production
Abstract
The cathode material is one of the key factors in enhancing the overall performance of microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). Nickel-based materials are the best option for cathodes in MES due to their excellent catalytic activity. This study aims to evaluate the performance of nickel foam (NF) as self-cathode material in MES for acetate production from CO2. A biocatalyst at the cathode was provided using a mixed-culture of anaerobic sludge from palm oil mill effluent (POME). The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to analyze the cathode surface morphology, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the effluent. The results indicate that the self-cathode NF exhibited excellent performance, achieving an acetate production rate (QAcetate) of 46.0 mM/d, compared to 41.7 mM/d with a graphite felt (GF) cathode at a cathode potential of -0.8 V. Additionally, the self-cathode NF in the MES system demonstrated a coulombic efficiency (CE) of approximately 22.9%. Moreover, the type of cathode material and the microbial community attached to the cathode surface significantly influenced MES performance.
References
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Koul, Y., V. Devda, S. Varjani, W. Guo, H. H. Ngo, M. J. Taherzadeh, and R. Parra-Saldívar (2022). Microbial Electrolysis: A Promising Approach for Treatment and Resource Recovery from Industrial Wastewater. Bioengineered, 13; 8115–8134
Labelle, E. V., C. W. Marshall, and H. D. May (2020). Microbiome for the Electrosynthesis of Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide. Accounts of Chemical Research, 53(1); 62–71
Liu, C., G. Luo, W. Wang, Y. He, R. Zhang, and G. Liu (2018). The Effects of pH and Temperature on the Acetate Production and Microbial Community Compositions by Syngas Fermentation. Fuel, 224; 537–544
Madjarov, J., R. Soares, C. M. Paquete, and R. O. Louro (2022). Sporomusa ovata as Catalyst for Bioelectrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction: A Review Across Disciplines from Microbiology to Process Engineering. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13; 913311
Mateos, R., A. Sotres, R. M. Alonso, A. Morán, and A. Escapa (2019). Enhanced CO2 Conversion to Acetate Through Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) by Continuous Headspace Gas Recirculation. Energies, 12(17); 3297
Mayer, F., F. Enzmann, A. M. Lopez, and D. Holtmann (2019). Performance of Different Methanogenic Species for the Microbial Electrosynthesis of Methane from Carbon Dioxide. Bioresource Technology, 289; 121706
Molinuevo-Salces, B., V. da Silva-Lacerda, M. C. García-González, and B. Riaño (2024). Production of Volatile Fatty Acids from Cheese Whey and Their Recovery Using Gas-Permeable Membranes. Recycling, 9(4); 65
Park, S. G., C. Rhee, S. G. Shin, J. Shin, H. O. Mohamed, Y. J. Choi, and K. J. Chae (2019). Methanogenesis Stimulation and Inhibition for the Production of Different Target Electrobiofuels in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Through an On-Demand Control Strategy Using the Coenzyme M and 2-Bromoethanesulfonate. Environment International, 131; 105006
Patil, S. A., J. B. A. Arends, I. Vanwonterghem, J. Van Meerbergen, K. Guo, G. W. Tyson, and K. Rabaey (2015). Selective Enrichment Establishes a Stable Performing Community for Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from CO2. Environmental Science and Technology, 49(14); 8833–8843
Prasertsan, P., C. Leamdum, S. Chantong, C. Mamimin, P. Kongjan, and S. O-Thong (2021). Enhanced Biogas Production by Co-Digestion of Crude Glycerol and Ethanol with Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Microbial Community Analysis. Biomass and Bioenergy, 148; 106037
Ragab, A., D. R. Shaw, K. P. Katuri, and P. E. Saikaly (2020). Effects of Set Cathode Potentials on Microbial Electrosynthesis System Performance and Biocathode Methanogen Function at a Metatranscriptional Level. Scientific Reports, 10(1); 76229
Rojas, M. d. P. A., M. Zaiat, E. R. González, H. De Wever, and D. Pant (2021). Enhancing the Gas–Liquid Mass Transfer During Microbial Electrosynthesis by the Variation of CO2 Flow Rate. Process Biochemistry, 101; 50–58
Rousseau, R., L. Etcheverry, E. Roubaud, R. Basséguy, M. L. Délia, and A. Bergel (2020). Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC): Strengths, Weaknesses and Research Needs from Electrochemical Engineering Standpoint. Applied Energy, 257; 113938
Satar, I., W. R. W. Daud, B. H. Kim, M. R. Somalu, and M. Ghasemi (2017). Immobilized Mixed-Culture Reactor (IMcR) for Hydrogen and Methane Production from Glucose. Energy, 139; 1188–1196
Satar, I., W. R. W. Daud, B. H. Kim, M. R. Somalu, M. Ghasemi, M. H. A. Bakar, and S. N. Timmiati (2018). Performance of Titanium–Nickel (Ti/Ni) and Graphite Felt-Nickel (GF/Ni) Electrodeposited by Ni as Alternative Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 89; 67–76
Satar, I. and A. Permadi (2022). Treating the Tofu Wastewater (TWW) Using a Green Technology of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) System. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 6(1); 162–167
Shahid, K., D. L. Ramasamy, S. Haapasaari, M. Sillanpää, and A. Pihlajamäki (2021). Stainless Steel and Carbon Brushes as High-Performance Anodes for Energy Production and Nutrient Recovery Using the Microbial Nutrient Recovery System. Energy, 233; 121213
Shakeel, S., A. H. Anwer, and M. Z. Khan (2020). Nitric Acid Treated Graphite Granular Cathode for Microbial Electro Reduction of CO2 to Acetate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269; 122391
Sikarwar, D., I. Das, A. Ganta, I. M. Nambi, B. Erable, and S. Das (2025). Microbial Electrolysis Cells: Fuelling the Future with Biohydrogen– A Review. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 9; 100224
Sodri, A. and F. E. Septriana (2022). Biogas Power Generation from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): Techno-Economic and Environmental Impact Evaluation. Energies, 15(19); 7265
Xiang, Y., G. Liu, R. Zhang, Y. Lu, and H. Luo (2017). Acetate Production and Electron Utilization Facilitated by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in a Microbial Electrosynthesis System. Bioresource Technology, 241; 821–829
Yang, H. Y., N. N. Hou, Y. X. Wang, J. Liu, C. S. He, Y. R. Wang, and Y. Mu (2021). Mixed-Culture Biocathodes for Acetate Production from CO2 Reduction in the Microbial Electrosynthesis: Impact of Temperature. Science of the Total Environment, 790; 148128
Zaybak, Z., J. M. Pisciotta, J. C. Tokash, and B. E. Logan (2013). Enhanced Start-Up of Anaerobic Facultatively Autotrophic Biocathodes in Bioelectrochemical Systems. Journal of Biotechnology, 168(4); 478–485
Anwer, A. H., N. Khan, M. F. Umar, M. Rafatullah, and M. Z. Khan (2021). Electrodeposited Hybrid Biocathode Based CO2 Reduction via Microbial Electro-Catalysis to Biofuels. Membranes, 11(3); 1–8
Aziz, M. M. A., K. A. Kassim, M. El-Sergany, S. Anuar, M. E. Jorat, H. Yaacob, and Arifuzzaman (2020). Recent Advances on Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Pretreatment and Anaerobic Reactor for Sustainable Biogas Production. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 119; 109603
Bajracharya, S., A. Ter Heijne, X. Dominguez Benetton, K. Vanbroekhoven, C. J. N. Buisman, D. P. B. T. B. Strik, and D. Pant (2015). Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Mixed and Pure Cultures in Microbial Electrosynthesis Using an Assembly of Graphite Felt and Stainless Steel as a Cathode. Bioresource Technology, 195; 14–24
Bajracharya, S., R. Yuliasni, K. Vanbroekhoven, C. J. N. Buisman, D. P. B. T. B. Strik, and D. Pant (2017). Long Term Operation of Microbial Electrosynthesis Cell Reducing CO2 to Multi-Carbon Chemicals with a Mixed Culture Avoiding Methanogenesis. Bioelectrochemistry, 113; 26–34
Batlle-Vilanova, P., S. Puig, R. Gonzalez-Olmos, M. D. Balaguer, and J. Colprim (2016). Continuous Acetate Production Through Microbial Electrosynthesis from CO2 with Microbial Mixed Culture. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 91(4); 921–927
Brachi, M., W. El Housseini, K. Beaver, R. Jadhav, A. Dantanarayana, D. G. Boucher, and S. D. Minteer (2024). Advanced Electroanalysis for Electrosynthesis. ACS Organic and Inorganic Au, 4(2); 141–187
Dess`?, P., L. Rovira-Alsina, C. S´anchez, G. K. Dinesh, W. Tong, P. Chatterjee, and S. Puig (2021). Microbial Electrosynthesis: Towards Sustainable Biorefineries for Production of Green Chemicals from CO2 Emissions. Biotechnology Advances, 46; 107675
Dykstra, J. E., A. ter Heijne, S. Puig, and P. M. Biesheuvel (2021). Theory of Transport and Recovery in Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from CO2. Electrochimica Acta, 379; 138029
Gajda, I., J. You, B. A. Mendis, J. Greenman, and I. A. Ieropoulos (2021). Electrosynthesis, Modulation, and Self Driven Electroseparation in Microbial Fuel Cells. iScience, 24(8); 102805
Ge, L., H. Rabiee, M. Li, S. Subramanian, Y. Zheng, J. H. Lee, and H. Wang (2022). Electrochemical CO2 Reduction in Membrane-Electrode Assemblies. Chem, 8(3); 663–692
Gomez Vidales, A., G. Bruant, S. Omanovic, and B. Tartakovsky (2021). Carbon Dioxide Conversion to C1–C2 Compounds in a Microbial Electrosynthesis Cell with In Situ Electrodeposition of Nickel and Iron. Electrochimica Acta, 383; 136349
Gozan, M., R. Budiarto, N. Aulawy, and S. F. Rahman (2018). Techno-Economic Analysis of Biogas Power Plant from POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent). International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 13(8); 6151–6157
Hu, N., L. Wang, M. G. Liao, and K. Liu (2021). Research on Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Microorganisms with a Graphene Modified Carbon Felt. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(9); 6180–6187
Hui, S., Y. Jiang, Y. Jiang, Z. Lyu, S. Ding, B. Song, and J.-J. Zhu (2023). Cathode Materials in Microbial Electrosynthesis Systems for Carbon Dioxide Reduction: Recent Progress and Perspectives. Energy Materials, 3(6); 1–31
Ibrahim, I., M. N. I. Salehmin, K. Balachandran, M. F. Hil Me, K. S. Loh, M. H. Abu Bakar, and S. S. Lim (2023). Role of Microbial Electrosynthesis System in CO2 Capture and Conversion: A Recent Advancement Toward Cathode Development. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14; 1192187
Kim, K. Y., W. Yang, and B. E. Logan (2018). Regenerable Nickel-Functionalized Activated Carbon Cathodes Enhanced by Metal Adsorption to Improve Hydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells. Environmental Science and Technology, 52(12); 7131–7137
Koul, Y., V. Devda, S. Varjani, W. Guo, H. H. Ngo, M. J. Taherzadeh, and R. Parra-Saldívar (2022). Microbial Electrolysis: A Promising Approach for Treatment and Resource Recovery from Industrial Wastewater. Bioengineered, 13; 8115–8134
Labelle, E. V., C. W. Marshall, and H. D. May (2020). Microbiome for the Electrosynthesis of Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide. Accounts of Chemical Research, 53(1); 62–71
Liu, C., G. Luo, W. Wang, Y. He, R. Zhang, and G. Liu (2018). The Effects of pH and Temperature on the Acetate Production and Microbial Community Compositions by Syngas Fermentation. Fuel, 224; 537–544
Madjarov, J., R. Soares, C. M. Paquete, and R. O. Louro (2022). Sporomusa ovata as Catalyst for Bioelectrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction: A Review Across Disciplines from Microbiology to Process Engineering. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13; 913311
Mateos, R., A. Sotres, R. M. Alonso, A. Morán, and A. Escapa (2019). Enhanced CO2 Conversion to Acetate Through Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) by Continuous Headspace Gas Recirculation. Energies, 12(17); 3297
Mayer, F., F. Enzmann, A. M. Lopez, and D. Holtmann (2019). Performance of Different Methanogenic Species for the Microbial Electrosynthesis of Methane from Carbon Dioxide. Bioresource Technology, 289; 121706
Molinuevo-Salces, B., V. da Silva-Lacerda, M. C. García-González, and B. Riaño (2024). Production of Volatile Fatty Acids from Cheese Whey and Their Recovery Using Gas-Permeable Membranes. Recycling, 9(4); 65
Park, S. G., C. Rhee, S. G. Shin, J. Shin, H. O. Mohamed, Y. J. Choi, and K. J. Chae (2019). Methanogenesis Stimulation and Inhibition for the Production of Different Target Electrobiofuels in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Through an On-Demand Control Strategy Using the Coenzyme M and 2-Bromoethanesulfonate. Environment International, 131; 105006
Patil, S. A., J. B. A. Arends, I. Vanwonterghem, J. Van Meerbergen, K. Guo, G. W. Tyson, and K. Rabaey (2015). Selective Enrichment Establishes a Stable Performing Community for Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from CO2. Environmental Science and Technology, 49(14); 8833–8843
Prasertsan, P., C. Leamdum, S. Chantong, C. Mamimin, P. Kongjan, and S. O-Thong (2021). Enhanced Biogas Production by Co-Digestion of Crude Glycerol and Ethanol with Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Microbial Community Analysis. Biomass and Bioenergy, 148; 106037
Ragab, A., D. R. Shaw, K. P. Katuri, and P. E. Saikaly (2020). Effects of Set Cathode Potentials on Microbial Electrosynthesis System Performance and Biocathode Methanogen Function at a Metatranscriptional Level. Scientific Reports, 10(1); 76229
Rojas, M. d. P. A., M. Zaiat, E. R. González, H. De Wever, and D. Pant (2021). Enhancing the Gas–Liquid Mass Transfer During Microbial Electrosynthesis by the Variation of CO2 Flow Rate. Process Biochemistry, 101; 50–58
Rousseau, R., L. Etcheverry, E. Roubaud, R. Basséguy, M. L. Délia, and A. Bergel (2020). Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC): Strengths, Weaknesses and Research Needs from Electrochemical Engineering Standpoint. Applied Energy, 257; 113938
Satar, I., W. R. W. Daud, B. H. Kim, M. R. Somalu, and M. Ghasemi (2017). Immobilized Mixed-Culture Reactor (IMcR) for Hydrogen and Methane Production from Glucose. Energy, 139; 1188–1196
Satar, I., W. R. W. Daud, B. H. Kim, M. R. Somalu, M. Ghasemi, M. H. A. Bakar, and S. N. Timmiati (2018). Performance of Titanium–Nickel (Ti/Ni) and Graphite Felt-Nickel (GF/Ni) Electrodeposited by Ni as Alternative Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 89; 67–76
Satar, I. and A. Permadi (2022). Treating the Tofu Wastewater (TWW) Using a Green Technology of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) System. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 6(1); 162–167
Shahid, K., D. L. Ramasamy, S. Haapasaari, M. Sillanpää, and A. Pihlajamäki (2021). Stainless Steel and Carbon Brushes as High-Performance Anodes for Energy Production and Nutrient Recovery Using the Microbial Nutrient Recovery System. Energy, 233; 121213
Shakeel, S., A. H. Anwer, and M. Z. Khan (2020). Nitric Acid Treated Graphite Granular Cathode for Microbial Electro Reduction of CO2 to Acetate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269; 122391
Sikarwar, D., I. Das, A. Ganta, I. M. Nambi, B. Erable, and S. Das (2025). Microbial Electrolysis Cells: Fuelling the Future with Biohydrogen– A Review. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 9; 100224
Sodri, A. and F. E. Septriana (2022). Biogas Power Generation from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME): Techno-Economic and Environmental Impact Evaluation. Energies, 15(19); 7265
Xiang, Y., G. Liu, R. Zhang, Y. Lu, and H. Luo (2017). Acetate Production and Electron Utilization Facilitated by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in a Microbial Electrosynthesis System. Bioresource Technology, 241; 821–829
Yang, H. Y., N. N. Hou, Y. X. Wang, J. Liu, C. S. He, Y. R. Wang, and Y. Mu (2021). Mixed-Culture Biocathodes for Acetate Production from CO2 Reduction in the Microbial Electrosynthesis: Impact of Temperature. Science of the Total Environment, 790; 148128
Zaybak, Z., J. M. Pisciotta, J. C. Tokash, and B. E. Logan (2013). Enhanced Start-Up of Anaerobic Facultatively Autotrophic Biocathodes in Bioelectrochemical Systems. Journal of Biotechnology, 168(4); 478–485
Authors
Satar, I., Ahmed, W. A., Juwitaningtyas, T. ., Syamsuddin, . A. ., Majlan, E. H., Bakar, M. H. A. ., & Kim, B. H. (2025). Performance of Nickel Foam (NF) Cathode in Microbial Electro-synthesis System for Generating Methane and Acetate Production from CO2. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Management and Sustainability, 9(2), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.26554/ijems.2025.9.2.68-78
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