Nanofiber electrodes: coated bacteria to digest contaminants.

Nanofiber electrodes: coated bacteria to digest contaminants.

Cornell materials scientists and bioelectrochemical engineers may have created an innovative, cost-competitive electrode material for cleaning contaminants in wastewater. The researchers created electro-spinning carbon electrode nanofibers and those coated with a conductive polymer, called PEDOT, to compete with commercially available carbon fabric electrodes. When the PEDOT coating is applied, an electrically active layer of Geobacter sulfurducens bacteria naturally grows to create electricity and transfer electrons to the novel electrode.

Conductive nanofibers create a favorable surface for this bacteria, which digests pollutants in wastewater and produces electricity for research. Electrodes are expensive to do now, and this material could lower the price of the electrodes down the road, making it easier to clean the contaminated water. Co-lead author Juan Guzman, doctoral student in the field of engineering Biological and environmental. Under the microscope, the carbon nanofiber electrode resembles a kitchen washer. The electrode was performed by co-lead author Meryem Pehlivaner, MS 13, currently PhD student at Northeastern University, with lead author Margaret Frey, professor of fiber sciences and associate dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology. Pehlivaner manufactured the carbon nanofibers through electro-silting and carbonization processes. After a few electrospinning hours, a sheet of nanofibers thick visible to the naked eye emerges.

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