PhD thesis supervisor: dr. Povilas Virbickas (apply for recommendation)
Development and application of biofouling-resistant electrodes in biofuel cells and biosensors
The development of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and electrochemical biosensors is highly relevant to the global transition toward renewable energy technologies and the increasing demand for advanced analytical tools in environmental monitoring (e.g., detection of toxins) and clinical diagnostics. A critical challenge limiting the efficiency and long-term stability of MFCs and MFC-based biosensors is inefficient charge transfer between living cells and the electrode surface, often caused by biofouling.
One promising yet insufficiently explored approach to address this challenge is the use of biofouling-resistant anodes, such as nanoporous metal electrodes or electrodes modified with semi-permeable membranes. These electrodes are particularly attractive because they can hinder the attachment of large biological structures while enabling the transport of redox mediators. In addition, nanoporosity increases the effective surface area and, in some cases, reduces the activation overpotential of electrochemical redox reactions. Nevertheless, the systematic investigation and application of biofouling-resistant electrodes as bioanodes in microorganism-based systems remain limited. This project will focus on yeast (S. cerevisiae)-based fuel cells and biosensors, combining electrochemical characterization with bioelectrochemical performance evaluation. The expected results are promising for improving the efficiency, stability, and practical applicability of microbial fuel cells and biosensors.